Migrant academics’ teaching, research and leadership knowledge and skills are essential and valued in their host higher education institutions, globally. However, there is limited evidence on understanding migrant academics’ career capital experiences in Australian universities. Drawing on a career capital framework, this qualitative study explores the experiences of 26 international academics at Australian universities. Based on interview findings, migrant academics have developed capitals in terms of knowing-why, motivation to migrate and seek employment at Australian universities, knowing-how, utilising accumulated human capital in teaching and research activities, and knowing-whom, developing and relying on social connections to have a positive impact on teaching and research work. The findings contribute to the literature because career development experience of migrant academics in Australia is an underexplored phenomenon, underpinned by career capital theory. The implications of these findings for international academics and higher education institutions are also discussed.

移民学者的教学、研究和领导知识和技能在其所在的全球高等教育机构中至关重要且受到重视。然而，了解移民学者在澳大利亚大学的职业资本经历的证据有限。这项定性研究借鉴职业资本框架，探讨了澳大利亚大学 26 名国际学者的经历。根据访谈结果，移民学者在了解原因、移民和在澳大利亚大学就业的动机、知识、如何在教学和研究活动中利用积累的人力资本以及了解谁、发展和依赖等方面发展了资本。社会关系对教学和科研工作产生积极影响。这些发现对文献做出了贡献，因为澳大利亚移民学者的职业发展经历是一种尚未得到充分探索的现象，其基础是职业资本理论。还讨论了这些发现对国际学术界和高等教育机构的影响。