Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, has welcomed an interim report from a group of industry experts on Australia's temporary skilled migration program, which coincided with figures that showed record arrivals of skilled workers helped immigration become the leading element in Australian population growth last year.
The 2008 edition of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship publication Population Flows: Immigration Aspects, revealed that immigration accounted for 56 % of Australia's population growth in 2006-07.
Senator Evans said the 2006-07 skills stream had 97 920 places, an increase of 0.6% on the previous year, and almost two-thirds of the migration program. Australia lost 35 196 skilled workers but gained 49 523 skilled settlers.
A quarter of the skilled migrants that came to Australia were citizens of the United Kingdom, while 16% were Indian, 15% Chinese, 4% were South African and 4% Malaysian.
But Senator Evans said there is more to be done to overcome the skills crisis.
“Concerns have been raised by the states and industry groups over skilled labour shortages and the increasing inability to start up significant projects,” he said.
The External Reference Group was established in February, along with a package of migration measures, such as Skills Australia, to address Australia’s skills and labour shortages.
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).
The interim report's recommendations include:
- fast-tracking 457-visa applications by ‘low risk’ employers with a good track record of compliance;
- eliminating duplication in visa processes; and
- providing employers and workers with better information about their responsibilities and rights under the 457 visa system.
Mr Evans said submissions also confirmed the need for Skills Australia. He said number of submissions outlining the importance of training as a key measure to alleviate the skills shortage in the medium to long term.
“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,” Mr Evans said.
Shadow Immigration Minister said reforms should reduce red tape for employers and roll back new requirements for business to consult with stakeholders including unions before their sponsorship applications can be approved.
“The first act of the new Immigration Minister was to exacerbate visa waiting times, increase costs to business and deliver what is effectively a veto power to the union bosses,” Senator Ellison said.
Whatever shape reform takes, it is likely to be based on the reference group’s final report, which is due later next month. For more information on immigration reform, or to the view the statistics, visit www.minister.immi.gov.au.