Labor lifts migration cap to 195,000 to help solve the skills and jobs shortages in Australia

The federal government plans to revamp the country’s immigration policy to put more of an emphasis on permanent residents instead of temporary ones, and an additional 35,000 immigrants as well as thousands of elderly retirees will be deployed to assist cope with labour shortages.

The president of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew McKellar, calls the government’s plan to impose an immigration cap presently a “major step forward” and “a very excellent move.”

The government announced during its two-day jobs and skills conference that this year’s inflow of permanent migrants from abroad will grow by more than 20% to a maximum of 195,000. Beyond that, the intake, which the Turnbull administration reduced to 160,000, is expected to stay within a reasonable range of the new number.

Anthony Albanese, the prime minister, concludes the jobs and skills conference on Friday 2 September 2022!

News Update Highlights:

Planning levels for the migration program 2022–23

The MIA is pleased that the permanent migration program numbers have been increased for this fiscal year to: 

• 34,000 local locations (up 9,000)

• 31,000 locations throughout the state and territory (up 20,000)

• 31,000 locations throughout the state and territory (up 20,000)

• Boosting the number of migrants in the programme (as announced)

• Delaying the processing times for visas (as announced)

• A plan to allow foreign graduates of Australian colleges to remain in the country longer after graduation

• Extending until 2023 the COVID restrictions on student visa holders’ employment privileges.

The roles conference is now being discussed by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation federal secretary Annie Butler, College of Adelaide affiliate lecturer Joanna Howe, and Australian Chamber of Commerce CEO Andrew McKellar.

Along with the need for increased engagement and skill development, McKellar asserted that it was crucial to get the migrating parameters right.

The ACCI chief executive further stated that businesses understood the revenue barrier for temporary workers, a contentious point in the immigration debate, may rise.

“We anticipate it could really increase. According to some alternatives, it may cost as much as $90,000. I think it could be a bit harsh,” he said, adding that it’s crucial to create as many avenues as possible for permanent migration.

Dominic Perrottet, the premier of New South Wales, also praised the federal government’s move.

Additional workers are badly needed, primarily in the health and aged care sectors, according to Annie Butler, secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation.

“Migrant workers have a long history of making contributions to our healthcare workforce. Nearly 40% of midwives and other nurses were born overseas, and 20% of them had their education abroad, according to the speaker.

“However, we need to prepare well to ensure that we have the skilled workforces we need. Practice with our local workforce, then promote global skills through program for permanent relocation funded by industry-wide sponsorships, and access to low-cost housing, childcare, and healthcare.

According to Butler, the income requirement for temporary migrants should be raised to about $90,000.

A part of the issue is that the shortage of skilled people in the elderly care industry is clearly evident. These people require appropriate rewards. If not, it only reinforces the stereotype that care work is reserved for women and is therefore feminised. It’s undervalued and isn’t worth raising the minimum wage for. And let me inform you that it is.

About Ghothane: Tonnou Ghothane’s primary area of practice remains immigration law. He has handled many complex visa cases at Department level. He has also successfully represented many complex cases at Administrative Appeals Tribunal where visas have been related to visa refusal and cancellation.