Visa changes welcomed by industry

Changes to the visa program for skilled migrants have been welcomed by industry groups as a solution to the skills shortage that’s being experienced - particularly in the resources sector, such as in engineering and the skilled trades.

From July 2012, the pathway to permanent residence for eligible 457 visa holders will be simplified, the upper age limit increased to 50 and English language requirements altered. The current six permanent employer-sponsored visas will be replaced with two visas and one sponsored occupation list will replace the existing three lists.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said, “These reforms will make it easier for businesses and potential migrants to navigate the permanent employer-sponsored visa program, while ensuring the integrity of our system.”

Several industry groups have made statements welcoming the changes. Chief Executive of AiGroup Innes Willox said the changes “should help employers to better access overseas skilled workers in what remains a tight labour market”.

“Skilled migrants play an essential role in allowing employers to fill critical skills gaps that at this stage are unable to be solved by local supply. Migration is an essential workforce strategy, particularly in the short to medium term, while Australia’s workforce is evolving to meet this unprecedented skills demand front-on,” said Minna Knight, AMMA Director.

A recent report by Workplace Research Centre (WRC) drew attention to the skills shortage in the electrical trades. The report was primarily concerned with the situation of apprentices in Australia, arguing that current poor apprenticeship commencement and retention rates are the result of wage rates no longer matching the age and skill level of apprentices. It said that while one way to deal with the skills shortage is to increase the number of 457 visas allocated, “there are strong reasons why Australia should be growing and maintaining its own workforce capacity”. The best solution, the report suggested, “is to train more skilled labour in Australia”.

For electrical trades apprentices, more skilled workers in the sector could mean greater opportunities for mentorship and on-the-job training as the skill level in the industry rises.

“Some of these highly skilled professionals have specifically been brought into Australia to pass on their international experience and help upskill the local workforce for these new and exciting resources opportunities,” said Knight.