“Our members are calling for policy settings that provide certainty, efficiency and public confidence in the skilled migration system, which supports the economy, productivity and delivering national priorities,” said Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association, Australian Industry Group.
“Skilled migration is essential to addressing workforce shortages across housing, infrastructure, manufacturing, health, aged care and emerging industries.
“Australia cannot meet current and future workforce needs through domestic training alone.
“Skilled migration complements investment in local skills and helps ensure businesses can deliver the housing, infrastructure, manufacturing and energy projects that Australians depend on,” Mr Willox said.
Australian Industry Group’s submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s Inquiry makes four key recommendations:
- Maintain the permanent skilled migration intake at current levels.
- Streamline skills recognition, licensing and credential recognition processes in critical shortage occupations.
- Improve the predictability and timeliness of visa processing, particularly in the Skills in Demand and Subclass 186 programs.
- Develop a public communication strategy that better explains how skilled migration supports essential services, infrastructure delivery and economic growth.
“Australia needs a skilled migration system that is stable, targeted and efficient. Reducing skilled migration at a time of persistent workforce shortages would put further pressure on housing delivery, major infrastructure projects and business investment,” Mr Willox said.
“The focus should be on ensuring the system works effectively, including faster processing, streamlined recognition of overseas qualifications and stronger public understanding of the benefits skilled migration delivers to the community.
“We look forward to contributing constructively to the inquiry and working with Government to strengthen Australia’s skilled migration system to support long-term economic resilience and competitiveness,” Mr Willox said.
Read Australian Industry Group’s submission
