Although its origins and authenticity is disputed, the saying “una faccia una razza” (very popular in Greece after the war) has been proven to be correct, at least when it comes to Greek and Italian populations massively migrating to Australia. Both countries were struggling to rebuild themselves in the ’50s – which led to the massive wave of migration. Half a century later, both populations have become vital parts of the broader community – especially in Melbourne, they are both pillars of society – and the derogatory term ‘wog’ is now a thing of the past.
As for the motherlands, they have both felt the impact of the Global Financial Crisis and are struggling to cope since, facing high unemployment and political instability – with Greece being in a significantly worse state. Hence a new wave of migration. And although the surge of Greek migration to Australia since 2010 has been well documented, amounting to more than 8000 new migrants arriving in Victoria in the first four years, less has been known about the respective migratory wave from Italy. Italians account for no more than the 1.5 percent of the overall number of Temporary visa recipients between 2004 and 2015, 40.7 per cent of which were working holiday visas and 24.3 per cent visitor visas. In terms of the broader Australia Migration Program, of the 1,832,548 visas granted, only 8,711 were granted to Italians (42,4% of them being Partner Visas). Employer-sponsored migrants was the second-largest group (37%), while the third largest group were those applying for a skilled independent visa (9.1%).
As it happened with the new wave of immigration from Greece, new migrants from italy are mostly highly educated and cover a broad age range from 18 to 40. Many of them are facing a stark reality, upon arriving. According to the ABC’s Four Corners program, “gangs of black market workers run by unscrupulous labour hire contractors operating on farms and in factories around the country” that included new Italian arrivals as its victims. More recently, a Senate report, A National Disgrace: The Exploitation of Temporary Work Visa Holders focused on this particular situation. It is believed that up to 40% of new migrants from Italy have been exploited at work, an experience that adds to their disillusionment. Another factor that is cause for complains is the difficulty they face throughout the process of applying for a visa. Italians complain of lengthy and complex process, unclear and conflicting information by the Department of Immigration and Border Prodection and failure of the government to recognise professional qualifications, especially in the field of architecture, nursing and engineering.