AUSTRALIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA TO REVIEW SKILLED SUBCLASS 400 VISA AND READ BELOW THE DISCUSSION PAPERS ON THE SUBJECT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT INVITING COMMENTS Att: Skilled Visa Review and Deregulation Taskforce (4N275) The “Reviewing the Skilled Migration and 400 Series Visa Programmes” discussion paper states that “This review will result in the most far reaching transformation of the skilled migration and 400 series visa programmes in the last 20 years and will establish a visa framework that will support Australia’s skilled migration needs for the next 20 years” The Review will help shape and define Australia’s economic future. The Discussion paper states “Migration to Australia has been critical in supporting economic development and sustaining Australia’s labour market needs” as it has been for the vitality of the South Australian economy. Included in the “Terms of Reference” it is stated that the review will; “Explore and develop, in consultation with key stakeholders, new and innovative skilled migration visa models to support Australia’s short and long term skilled migration needs while ensuring the primacy of Australian workers” And; “Implement a new skilled migrant visa framework that is supportive, flexible and responsive and which enriches the Australian economy through a well-managed skilled migration programme” The discussion paper also states “To further improve successful skilled migration to Australia, a new skilled migration visa framework will be developed; one which will be flexible and adaptable to future labour market needs; and positioning the Australian Economy for decades of future competitiveness and prosperity. At its heart, this must include the positioning and future of the South Australian economy and our competitiveness and prosperity. South Australia’s future and long term economic prosperity significantly relies on strategically planned, targeted and measured population growth supported by flexible demand driven migration programs. To realise the short, medium and long term economic benefits that can be achieved by targeted population growth it is imperative that measures exist to reach strategic targets that will stimulate growth, opportunities and support and create new jobs and training opportunities for future generations of South Australians. Strategically planned and targeted population growth will create a multitude of opportunities, opportunities creates growth, growth creates jobs and training throughout our State and this improves business and consumer confidence. Unfortunately existing migration programs are not conducive of facilitating economic growth in regional areas including South Australia. South Australia’s economic conditions are significantly different to a national average and as such flexibility in migration programs is required to facilitate growth, economic activity and prosperity throughout the State and other affected jurisdictions. Whilst there are some regionally incentivised programs, key benefits of these programs have been substantially eroded over recent years and are inconsistent with demands and the prevailing local labour market. Changes to the structure of the skilled migration program which will provide economic benefits to the South Australian and other regional and low population growth areas of Australia are critical and essential to support long term economic growth and development, whilst maintaining and creating new employment and training opportunities or future generations of South Australians. Currently Australia’s migration programs are predominantly a one size fits all model, apart from programs such as the Regional Sponsored Migration Program, the previous regional 457 program and points available for international students who study in regional areas. There are also concessions available to some business people, however, upon consultation and speaking with many key industry groups in South Australia it is believed that wide spread reforms could be introduced to the Australian migration program to support and facilitate increased growth and migration outcomes where it can be evidenced that such growth would not undermine the integrity of the Australian migration program and where it would improve employment and training opportunities, reduce unemployment and increase economic prosperity and foster long term growth. It is widely believed in South Australia that the creation of a new economic migration stream for areas where gross state product and economic activity is less than the national average should be introduced as a way to stimulate and increase economic activity and prosperity. Such a program could operate in conjunction with a regional 457 program which would allow employers in gazetted areas of Australia to employ people from overseas in a broader range of occupations and pay market salary rates where genuine demand exists. An economic program could include opportunities for a waiver of age, English and/or the skill requirements which currently exist in the Employer Nominated and Regional Sponsored Migration Schemes. The re-introduction of a regional 457 program providing access to all ANZSCO skill level 1 to 4 occupations and the ability to remunerate at market salary rates of pay is essential in regional and low population growth jurisdictions and even more so in economically challenged areas of Australia. The removal of or changes to Ministerial Direction 53 for international students studying in defined areas would increase the number of international students studying in South Australia and other areas. Allowing international VET graduates access to the 485 visa or providing a direct link between 572 student visa holders to the 402 occupational training visa would also improve employment outcomes in regional areas and would allow graduates to meet the 2 years post qualification work experience requirements in regional areas of Australia or to complete the TRA job ready program and obtain a full skill assessment. An increase of international students living and studying in regional areas would create opportunities. One of the biggest concerns of industry is the use of the ANZSCO as an immigration tool and the compilation of skilled occupations lists. ANZSCO was not designed for this purpose and due to the lack of representation of key industry sectors in regional areas and current Departmental Policy with regards to caveats on skilled occupations such as cooks and skilled animal and horticultural workers, employers and industry sectors are adversely affected. Flexibility in the assessment of eligible occupations must be implemented which could be based on genuine demand and the skill level or qualification required for a role. This should be designed and based upon industry requirements in consultation with industry, not largely based on historical data. Changes to the 402 program are important to employers and visa holders seeking to enhance their skills in Australia. Developments in this area could include a pathway to on the job experience for VET students in the absence of access to the 485 program. Changes to the business migration program are supported to create a regional business migration program as a way to attract investment in to regional and other jurisdictions. The recommendations made in this submission are not designed to reduce long term employment and training opportunities to those living in South Australia or replace a commitment to employing or training South Australian’s these recommendation are made to facilitate access to skilled workers in specific pockets where genuine demand exists. This in turn will create greater opportunities, foster growth and increase economic prosperity in South Australia and other areas of Australia where a genuine demand exists. Changes to difference visa programs could include; 485 Post study work rights VET students 402 Sole traders can participate in the program Reduce costs to employer or opportunity for applicant to pay costs towards the application process or training plan. Direct feed in from VET student visa holders for a 2 year on the job traineeship after completion of cert 3 and/or cert 4. 457 Regional 457 to mirror occupations available for RSMS. Regional 457 to economic migration scheme after 2 years with employer. Regional 457 to allow flexibility in remuneration. EMS Economic Migration Scheme to mirror pre July 1, 2012 RSMS eligibility criteria, specifically, OBS 4.5 IELTS Waiver of age Waiver of English Waiver of qualifications/work experience RSMS Direct entry, remove 2 year work experience policy requirements for Australian graduates or create pathways to meet this criteria onshore post qualification. GSM Review skill assessment criteria and guidelines for trade occupations, Ensure that skill assessment requirements reflect industry guidelines, currently Vetassess want 5 years combined study/training/work experience for occupations such as bricklayers to be able to complete a skill assessment. Review skill assessments for occupations such as “cook”, which has one set of guidelines for a 190, different guidelines for a 457 and again different guidelines and skill requirements for a RSMS. In summary I believe the following enhancements can be made to the Skilled Migration Program and 400 series to support long term economic growth, reform and prosperity in our regions. 1. Creation of an economic migration program, with waivers of age, English and skills where a visa applicant has been employed on a regional 457 visa for a minimum of 2 years or in other circumstances. 2. Re-introduce the regional 457 program for all ANZSCO skill level 1 to 4 occupations, 3. Remove the need for Labour agreements to be used for ANZSCO 4 occupations and extend Labour Agreements to be used skill level 5 occupations, 4. Review the ANZSCO so all Australian industry occupations are equally represented, Description: facebook_ms Description: subscribe to newsletter cid:[email protected] fast movers 2012 - official 5. Provide greater incentives to attract international students to regional areas, 6. Provide international VET students access to the graduate visa or pathways to an occupational training visa, 7. Introduce a regional skilled occupation lists based on future demands and designed in consultation with industry, 8. Introduce a regional business migration program, 9. Review skill assessment bodies guidelines, 10. Ensure that state migration programs and RCB guidelines are consistent with the intent of these programs. In order to ensure that an increase in economic based temporary and permanent migration programs does not erode existing program outcomes in non-regional areas of Australia, I believe that an increase in the overall migration program could be introduced. This could see the overall migration program increased from its existing level of 190,000 to 215,000 to 225,000 people annually in the coming years to cater for a new permanent economic migration program.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 06:13:49 +0000
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