Position, not salary, key concern for returning expats

Getting a suitably challenging position is a bigger concern to many returning expatriate Australians than salary, attendees heard at the first BioMelbourne Breakfast for this year.

Pam Owen, manager for the Victorian government's Victorian Endowment for Science, Knowledge and Innovation (VESKI), told the audience that the perception of limited opportunities and a perceived lack of a challenging environment contributed to the doubts facing would-be repatriates.

A survey of expatriate Australians completed by VESKI last year showed that more than 80 per cent of the 450 surveyed planned to return to Australia, with a third of those in the next two years. Among the reasons for wanting to return home were family reasons and lifestyle.

Many returning Australians were looking for "active retirement" positions, and were less concerned with salary, said Owen, but worried about getting a position that would provide sufficient interest and challenge.

And many expatriates apparently return overseas within a couple of years, suggesting that repatriates may find it difficult to settle back into the Australian environment.

VESKI, funded by a $10 million seed endowment from the Victorian government, is developing programs to assist returning expatriates and help research and industry attract and retain experienced scientists and professionals.

Among the initiatives planned by VESKI are the continued development of an expatriate database, a program to strengthen communication with expatriates, and increased alliances with high-profile Australians overseas.