On Friday 21 November 2025, at the newly opened Bupa Campus in Melbourne (33 Exhibition Street), Bupa Australia is hosting a pivotal lunchtime event titled “Thriving in Australia’s Workforce”.
The event marks the launch of Bupa’s latest whitepaper, “The Hidden Strain on Migrant Health”, which explores the challenges faced by migrants as they access the Australian workforce and health system.
Bupa’s survey reveals some striking insights:
- 72 % of migrants say Australia’s health system is a key driver for choosing the country.
- 64 % believe that having private health cover makes healthcare more affordable.
- Yet 56 % report that concerns about cost and difficulty taking time off work are major barriers to getting care.
- The survey also finds that fear of losing a visa and financial stress are among the biggest sources of stress across all age groups.
These findings highlight that while many migrants want to participate and succeed in Australia’s workforce, the overlapping pressures of health, work, and visa status create a “hidden strain” that organisations and migration agents must recognise and address.
Key speakers at the event include:
- Abul Rizvi — Former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Columnist at Independent Australia
- Andrea Christie‑David — Director, Mental Health at Bupa Health Services.
- Kerrilyn Stratford — COO & Visa Medical Services Leader NSW.
- Simon Uzunovski — Director International & Corporate Health Insurance at Bupa.
- Mark Kopec — General Manager International Partnership at Bupa.
- Traci Chen — Principal Lawyer at Maison Chen Law Group.
These diverse voices reflect the multiple lenses of the event: migration policy, mental health, health insurance, international workforce, and legal dimensions for migration agents and employers.
For migration agents and organisations that hire migrant workers, this is more than a research launch — it is an opportunity to deepen understanding of the real, lived experience of workforce-ready migrants in Australia. The agenda promises:
- High-level insights into how health, work and visa concerns intersect for migrants.
- Practical discussion of what migration agents and employers can do to support workforce readiness and wellbeing.
- CPD accreditation: attendees are eligible to earn 1 Category B CPD point from Legal Training Australia Pty Ltd under “Supporting the wellbeing of Australia’s overseas workers – The Hidden Strain on Migrant Health”.
Agenda
- 12:00 pm–12:45: Arrivals and networking over a stand-up lunch.
- 12:45: Welcome by Simon Uzunovski, Director, International & Corporate, Bupa.
- 1:00: Opening remarks by Abul Rizvi.
- Following: Panel discussions and insights into research findings, followed by Q&A and networking.
The event
- Date & Time: Friday 21 November 2025, 12:00pm – 2:30pm AEDT.
- Venue: Bupa Campus, 33 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000.
- Cost: Free (registration required) as part of the Eventbrite listing.
As Australia continues to evolve as a multicultural workforce, migration remains an essential element of workforce strategy. Events like this help unpack invisible barriers and equip practitioners with tangible strategies. For any organisation wanting to ensure migrants not only gain work but thrive in Australia’s workforce, this event is well worth the time.
For more information and to register, see here.
