The Jobs & Skills Summit was held recently in Australia, bringing together 100 representatives from unions, business, civil society and government to discuss Australia’s biggest economic opportunities.
Please see below for key actions and discussion points arising from the Summit in relation to Migration…..
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
The Government will:
- Increase the permanent Migration Program planning level to 195,000 (from 160,000) in 2022-23 to help ease widespread, critical skills shortages
- Provide $36.1 million in additional funding to accelerate visa processing and resolve the visa backlog
- Increase the duration of post study work rights by allowing two additional years of stay for recent graduates with select degrees in areas of verified skills shortages to strengthen the pipeline of skilled labour in Australia, informed by advice from a working group
- Extend the relaxation of work restrictions for student and training visa holders until 30 June 2023 to help ease skills and labour shortages
AREAS OF FURTHER WORK:
The Government will conduct a review of the purpose, structure and objectives of Australia’s migration system to ensure it meets the challenges of the coming decade. The Government will also progress work to:
- Assess the effectiveness of the skilled migration occupation lists
- Expand pathways to permanent residency for temporary skilled sponsored workers
- Raise the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) following broad engagement on equitably setting the threshold and pathway for adjustment
- Reform the current labour market testing process following consultation with unions and business • Bring forward a package of reforms to address migration worker exploitation during 2023
- Examine the potential for industry sponsorship of skilled migrants
- Embed a role for Jobs and Skills Australia’s analysis of skill shortages in setting priorities of the skilled migration program
- Consider policies to address regional labour shortages and how to improve small business access to skilled migration All levels of government will work together to ensure infrastructure, housing and social services are well-planned to meet the needs of a growing population
COMPLEMENARY EXISTING COMMITMENTS:
- Implement the recommendations of the Migrant Workers’ Taskforce to tackle migrant worker exploitation
- Encourage more migration from our region by reforming the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and creating a new Pacific engagement visa
- Under the one-year National Skills Agreement the Government is providing (unmatched) $50 million to modernise TAFE technology infrastructure and $24 million to support vulnerable students to be successful
Posted in Uncategorized