Minister welcomes interim report on skilled migration
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today welcomed an interim report from a group of industry experts on Australia's temporary skilled migration program.
The External Reference Group has consulted more than 40 stakeholders to date, including industry groups, major companies and unions, about ways to streamline visa processing times and improve the flexibility of the temporary skilled migration program (subclass 457 visa).
‘Concerns have been raised by the states and industry groups over skilled labour shortages and the increasing inability to start up significant projects,’ Senator Evans said.
‘The External Reference Group has consulted widely and I am buoyed by the good work the members have done so far.
‘The reference group will now build on the interim report and provide more detail on how to improve the temporary skilled migration program while maintaining the integrity of the system.’
Among the interim report's recommendations is the consideration of establishing an accreditation system whereby ‘low risk’ employers with a good track record of compliance with immigration and industrial relations laws can have 457 visa applications fast-tracked by the department.
The report has also suggested scope for improvements in administration through the elimination of duplication in visa processes along with the need for providing employers and workers with better information about their responsibilities and rights under the 457 visa system.
The group stated that it had received a number of submissions outlining the importance of training as a key measure to alleviate the skills shortage in the medium to long term.
The group's recommendations will be considered by Cabinet and will form the basis for the development of additional measures to address Australia's skills shortage.
‘These measures will complement the Rudd Government's establishment of Skills Australia, which includes funding an additional 450 000 training places over the next four years, with 20 000 of these training places available from next month,’ Senator Evans said.
Last month, the Government outlined a package of migration measures designed to address Australia's skills and labour shortages in the short term.
The temporary and permanent skilled migration program has been increased by 6000 places for 2007-08, bringing to 108 500 the total number of visas granted under the Skill Stream of the migration program this financial year.
Changes to the Working Holiday visa program will enable people who undertake at least three months work in the construction sector in regional Australia to extend their 12-month working holiday visa by another year.
‘Australia currently has a skills crisis and we are competing for skilled labour in a global marketplace,’ Senator Evans said.
‘The Rudd Government is determined to address the issues of skills and labour shortages and we are working with industry to improve our skilled migration program while ensuring we continue to provide employment and training opportunities for Australian workers.
‘Addressing Australia's long-term skills shortages is also vital to tackling the inflationary pressures left behind by the Howard-Costello government.’
The reference group was established last month to examine how selected temporary skilled migration measures can help ease labour shortages and will deliver its final report later next month.
The industry experts who make up the External Reference Group are:
- Peter Coates (Chairman) – Former Chairman, Minerals Council of Australia; Chairman, Xstrata Australia
- Melinda Cilento – Deputy Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia
- Tim Shanahan – Director, Energy and Minerals Initiative, University of Western Australia; Former CEO, WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08028.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST