Most migrants and refugees in Australia feel a sense of community belonging through social or neighbourhood connections, according to a new survey.

The ‘Migrant Sense of Belonging’ survey conducted by the Scanlon Foundation found this sense of belonging was manifest through social and neighbourhood connections, the provision of mutual assistance and volunteering.

Lead Researcher Trish Prentice said the survey respondents cited time spent in Australia, familiarity, emotional connections, a sense of loyalty and adoption of cultural values as underpinning feeling settled and having a sense of belonging.

The survey canvassed a group of migrants from China, India, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines, all communities with growing populations in Australia and asked questions about belonging, social connections and civic participation.

It found the valued characteristics of local neighbourhoods were social connections, transport hubs, safety and cultural diversity.

The survey found people born overseas were more likely to have friends from other cultural and religious backgrounds than Australian born people.

“We found that a common migrant experience was a strong connection point between people,” Ms Prentice said.

They survey found workplaces, educational institutions, including language classes, places of worship, sports clubs and volunteering opportunities were important places where inter-cultural relationships are forged.

It found that cultural networks played an important role in the settlement process because of access to support.

The survey found civic participation among migrants was mostly manifest in volunteering and unpaid work.

“We heard that many people were volunteering to help other migrants through informal assistance at cultural events or by things like child minding,” Ms Prentice said.

Half of respondents were participating in social, religious or other community groups as well as sporting groups or environmental groups.

The survey found the most valued community facilities were libraries, sporting facilities, local parks and playgrounds and community centres.

“Interestingly, libraries were important not just for borrowing books but also for accessing IT facilities and social connections.

Challenges and issues were also identified by the survey.

Half of respondents said obtaining meaningful employment was a major challenge and this was because of a lack of recognition of qualifications from overseas, burdensome registration requirements and a lack of local experience.

“Many people told us they were forced to secure work at a lower level than their previous experience,” Ms Prentice said.

Also, a third of respondents said they had experienced racism or discrimination, with a larger proportion of women saying so.

Among the survey’s key recommendations were that fostering belonging started at the level of the local community and was driven by social factors.

“Forums for interaction, places for interaction, opportunities for interaction and an environment conducive to interaction are all important and there is a clear role for local councils to play here,” Ms Prentice said.

She said there was little evidence of cultural insularity, and opportunities and language proficiency are facilitators of intercultural connection.

“Civically, there is evidence that individuals are getting involved in their local communities and are contributing informally, especially to support new migrants,” Ms Prentice said.

“But the challenge to find meaningful work has broader ramifications for belonging,” she said.