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Unemployment has emerged as one of the biggest problems facing refugees as they attempt to build a new life in Brisbane.
Support groups who receive Federal Government funding to help migrants find work said many refugees job-hunted for months, becoming increasingly dis-illusioned with the cycle of interviews and knockbacks.
Staff from Multilink Community Services and ACCES Services said Brisbane's businesses were often reluctant to take on culturally diverse people. The problem extends nationwide with figures showing the unemployment level for refugees is 13.2 percent across Australia, far higher than the 4.5 percent level of other migrants.
In Logan, about 25 kms southeast of Brisbane, companies like Mushroom Exchange and Teys Bros are known to employ large numbers of refugees.
Mushroom Exchange human resources manager Natalie Sharkey said the company had about 180 people, many of whom were migrants who picked mushrooms, while some refugees worked as supervisors and interpreters.
Sharkey said more businesses should consider refugee hiring as they were "hard working" and eager to impress.
ACCES Services and employment manager Michael Kraft said lack of English was often the barrier to employment -- but offering more flexible English classes could be a solution.
"Some employers do have some nervousness with employing refugees, particularly people who may come from Arab countries or come in as Muslims," he said. "But more employers are actually very good and just want the right person with the right set of skills--that's why we're trying to upskill our people. They want a hand-up, not a hand-out."
Another solution to unemployment lies in stronger links between refugees and non-profit groups, according to Susan Black, manager of Logan's Social Enterprise Hub.
"Social enterprise can play an important role in creating real jobs for people where they're getting paid work, paid experience and breaking that cycle of unemployment," Black said.
