Australia faces the risk of losing its most talented expatriates without a coordinated strategy to engage and repatriate skilled nationals working overseas, former Prime Minister John Howard has cautioned. The warning comes amid growing concerns among Australian expatriates about the country’s perceived lack of ambition and its ability to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.

The findings stem from the October 2026 Global Australians Survey, which gathered responses from 902 Australians living abroad. The survey revealed that 63 percent of respondents believe Australia is not ambitious enough about its future, while 60 percent feel the nation is lagging in adapting to global economic and technological changes. Furthermore, 61 percent expressed the view that Australia is not fully utilizing its human capital, expertise, and international networks.

Howard emphasized that maintaining competitive and attractive conditions within Australia is crucial to stemming the so-called brain drain. He said the strength of the national economy is the key factor influencing whether skilled individuals choose to return or remain abroad.

Supporting this perspective, the survey found that a vast majority—92 percent—of respondents either want to return to Australia or are open to the possibility, with 70 percent explicitly expressing a desire to live in the country again. Despite this strong inclination, nearly three-quarters reported being unable to find a clear pathway to repatriation. In response, 89 percent of those surveyed advocated for a formal strategy to better engage Australians living overseas as well as those planning to come home.

Among those surveyed was Cassandra Kelly, the international director based in New York. Kelly, who left Australia at age 24, currently serves on the European Union’s global technology panel advises U.S. clients on technology matters, and is deputy chair of the Fred Hollows Foundation’s U.S. branch. While not actively seeking to return at this time, she noted that many younger Australians she mentors encounter significant barriers to repatriation. Reflecting on her own departure decades ago, Kelly questioned whether substantial enough changes have occurred to ease the transition for future generations.

The survey underscores a pressing need for Australia to develop policies and frameworks that capitalize on the skills and global perspectives of its diaspora, in order to sustain economic growth and innovation amid intensifying international competition.