The federal government's skilled migration reforms will not deliver their full economic and workforce benefits unless Australia also fixes the system that enables qualified migrants to use their skills once they arrive, an advocacy coalition says.
In an address to the National Press Club today, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced plans for a redesigned skilled migration points test, giving greater priority to occupations in areas such as construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture and trades.
Activate Australia's Skills Campaign Director Dane Moores welcomed the government's focus on addressing workforce shortages but said attracting the skills Australia needs is only half the equation.
"Skilled migration has an important role to play in addressing workforce shortages, but selecting the right people is only half the answer. We also need to make sure people can actually use those skills once they get here,” Mr Moores said.
“Alongside a strong skilled migration program, we need to make Australia’s skills and qualifications recognition system faster, fairer and more affordable, so qualified migrants can get into the jobs we need them in sooner.
“Right now, Australia is wasting migrant talent at an industrial scale. Almost half of permanent migrants are working below their skill level, while businesses and essential services are crying out for workers.
“This includes more than 1,000 plumbers and 1,300 electricians who are driving Ubers and stacking shelves instead of helping build the homes Australia desperately needs.”
“It’s a no-brainer to pair these migration reforms with reform of Australia’s skills recognition system. The two need to go hand-in-hand if we want to maximise the contribution of new skilled migrants and unlock the skills of people already here.”
Minister Burke also announced plans to ensure the skilled migration program supports priority processing for a range of key sectors, including healthcare, construction, education, law enforcement, defence, resources and agriculture.
“These priorities occupations overlap with professions where Australia already has thousands of qualified migrants whose skills are going to waste, including over 20,000 qualified teachers, 16,000 nurses and 5,000 psychologists,” Mr Moores said.
“Australia invited these people here, but too often our systems stop them from contributing at their full potential due to barriers unrelated to their skills, like excessive fees, slow processes, a lack of information and maze of bureaucracy. We cannot keep repeating that cycle.”
“If we are going to recruit skilled workers from overseas, we need to make sure the pathway from migration to employment actually works, while upholding the high standards Australians expect.”
Mr Moores said the federal government committed in the May budget to consult on a skills recognition commissioner to oversee and continually improve the system – a solution supported by close to 140 businesses, civil society groups and unions.
“A national skills recognition commissioner would be a game changer. Whatever your view on migration numbers, there should be common ground that migrants already here – and those Australia chooses to bring here in future – should be able to use their skills and qualifications if they meet Australian standards.”
“A skills recognition commissioner would provide independent oversight, shine a light on excessive costs and delays, and drive continuous improvement across the system. That means more nurses in hospitals, more teachers in classrooms, more tradies building homes and more skilled workers helping businesses grow.
“We understand that consultation on the Skills Recognition Commissioner is expected to begin next year. We encourage the government to commence this work sooner rather than later, so that no further time is lost. Every week and every month of delay means more skilled people missing out on the opportunity to work at their full capability.
“Skilled migration reform and skills recognition reform need to move together."
The Activate Australia’s Skills campaign is calling for key skills recognition reforms:
- Establish one national governance system for all overseas skills and qualifications recognition, including a Commissioner with regulatory power to provide independent oversight and transparency.
- Create a more joined-up system that links skills recognition for migration purposes with licensing and accreditation for employment purposes.
- Provide financial support for individuals to remove cost barriers and an online portal with all the information so people know what they need to do.
- Set up Career Gateway Hubs with skills recognition navigators to guide people through the skills recognition process and get them working in their professions again.
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