More than 100 jobs reserved for refugees in NSW public sector

Refugees in NSW will have a chance to apply for more than 100 public sector jobs reserved for people who have recently settled in the state.

New refugees in NSW will be able to apply for more than 100 jobs in the public sector. Source: AAP

Refugee Council of Australia chief executive Paul Power described the initiative as "applaudable", saying the state government was "leading by example".

"By setting aside some specific positions, the NSW government is actually providing an opportunity for people who haven't got the work experience that’s almost essential for many jobs in the Australian workforce to actually get an Australian-based experience," said Mr Powell.

He added he hoped other companies would follow by example. 

"The majority of refugees who come to Australia come as children, teenagers or young adults, so the majority of cases will be people making 30 to 45-years' contributions to the Australian economy through part-time and full-time work.

"So giving people an opportunity in the early period is fundamentally important, not only for them but also for the continued economic development of Australia."

Premier Mike Baird and the NSW Co-ordinator General for Refugee Resettlement Peter Shergold have called on the corporate sector to also make labour-market outcomes better for refugees.

The Opposition's Multiculturalism Spokeswoman Sophie Cotsis said the plan did not go far enough. 

"The Baird government is planning to settle 7000 refugees, and many of them will be resettled in areas like Western Sydney and regional NSW, which are already experiencing high unemployment due to the Liberals' inaction on job creation," she said.

The commitment was announced by the state government on June 1.