Groups pen their frustration over skilled migrants and key shortages in economy
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An alliance of businesses, unions, and community organizations has written an open letter to the Australian Parliament urging action on skilled migrant recognition. The Productivity Commission reported in 2023 that over a third of occupations face national shortages, a 5% increase from 2022 and 17% from 2021, particularly in healthcare, engineering, and trades. Violet Roumeliotis, CEO of Settlement Services International, highlights that nearly half of permanent migrants work below their skill levels due to a cumbersome recognition system. The costs for recognition can exceed $8,000 for dentistry and $10,000 for construction. Antonio Michell, a physiotherapist from Chile, has faced an eight-year delay in getting his qualifications recognized. The Activate Australia’s Skills campaign, supported by former Socceroo Craig Foster, emphasizes that allowing skilled migrants to work at their capability could boost Australia's GDP by $9 billion annually. The alliance calls for a national governance system for recognition, reduced costs, and an online portal for navigation.

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https://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/groups-pen-their-frustration-over-skilled-migrants-and-key-shortages-in-economy/4qjxysn0c