Migration Help
16th February 2010, 11:21 PM
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Australia’s largest and most representative employer organisation, urges that foreshadowed changes to the skills occupation lists continue to ensure that employer demand for overseas labour is truly being met.
The future success of Skills Australia’s new “aspirational skills targets” for the General Skilled Migration Independent Scheme will depend on how well they integrate with the complementary employer sponsored scheme, State and Territory schemes and the 457 visa programs.
Skills Australia will need to work closely with the broader employer community to ensure any future skills list that is developed is robust and has business and industry input.
There will be a delicate balance between trying to develop aspirational targets for Australia’s skilled workforce and achieving flexibility in importing skilled labour. The employer sponsored scheme applies to longer term applicants and the 457 visa scheme has recently had many additional restrictions placed on it, restricting the flexibility of employers to import labour. There is a danger that the short term needs of employers to gain access to skilled workers will be hampered or stopped altogether.
State and Territory governments will be establishing their own migration lists, creating even further potential for confusion, overlap and duplication. It will be essential that State and Territory governments also work closely with business and industry groups to ensure the needs of employers are being met.
As the economy returns to better growth, the measures announced on the 8th February will be tested. The inability of employers to successfully recruit labour could mean that less work can be entered into and in some cases turned away.
There is already grave concern being expressed among certain employers groups at how these changes will impact on businesses. Time will tell!
The future success of Skills Australia’s new “aspirational skills targets” for the General Skilled Migration Independent Scheme will depend on how well they integrate with the complementary employer sponsored scheme, State and Territory schemes and the 457 visa programs.
Skills Australia will need to work closely with the broader employer community to ensure any future skills list that is developed is robust and has business and industry input.
There will be a delicate balance between trying to develop aspirational targets for Australia’s skilled workforce and achieving flexibility in importing skilled labour. The employer sponsored scheme applies to longer term applicants and the 457 visa scheme has recently had many additional restrictions placed on it, restricting the flexibility of employers to import labour. There is a danger that the short term needs of employers to gain access to skilled workers will be hampered or stopped altogether.
State and Territory governments will be establishing their own migration lists, creating even further potential for confusion, overlap and duplication. It will be essential that State and Territory governments also work closely with business and industry groups to ensure the needs of employers are being met.
As the economy returns to better growth, the measures announced on the 8th February will be tested. The inability of employers to successfully recruit labour could mean that less work can be entered into and in some cases turned away.
There is already grave concern being expressed among certain employers groups at how these changes will impact on businesses. Time will tell!