A coalition of organizations is pushing for a comprehensive overhaul of Australia's skills recognition system, arguing that it is hindering the full economic potential of skilled migrants. The campaign highlights the significant skills mismatch, with nearly 45% of permanent migrants working below their qualified level. They propose a national governance body, financial aid for applicants, and information centers to address the complex and costly system.
Almost 45% of permanent migrants residing in Australia are currently employed in positions below their qualified skill level, according to a recent study conducted by Deloitte. This significant skills mismatch represents roughly 621,000 individuals, with over 201,000 holding qualifications in management and commerce, more than 80,000 qualified engineers, and nearly 50,000 trained health professionals.
A coalition of organizations, including unions and employer groups, known as Activate Australia’s Skills, is urging political parties to address this issue ahead of the upcoming federal election. They argue that rectifying the skills mismatch could unlock an estimated $9 billion in economic benefits.The current system for recognizing overseas qualifications is widely criticized as being disconnected, complex, and prohibitively expensive, effectively preventing or delaying many skilled migrants from working in their desired fields. Denita Wawn, the chief executive of the Master Builders Association, highlights the system's cumbersome nature and cost, sentiments echoed by other leading organizations involved in the campaign. A study within the healthcare system revealed that an overseas-trained GP faced a wait time of 35 to 130 weeks and incurred expenses of up to $51,000 to practice in Australia. The absence of a national subsidy or loan scheme to alleviate these upfront costs places a significant financial burden on new arrivals.The campaign identifies a fundamental flaw in the system: the lack of a single, centralized entity responsible for managing all skills assessments and qualifications recognition. Their recommendations include establishing a national governance body to oversee this process, providing means-tested financial assistance to applicants, and creating information centers in areas with high migrant populations. A January poll conducted by Essential, commissioned by the campaign, revealed that 61% of voters support recognizing overseas-acquired skills and qualifications in Australia, provided appropriate safeguards are in place. A similar percentage agreed that recognizing overseas qualifications is an effective strategy for addressing skill shortages in crucial sectors like healthcare and skilled trades. Violet Roumeliotis, the chief executive of Settlement Services International, a key organization leading the campaign, emphasizes the need for comprehensive reforms rather than piecemeal adjustments to the existing system. In a positive development, starting in March, the assessment and registration process for qualified nurses from six comparable countries, including the US and UK, will be streamlined, potentially reducing the wait time by up to 12 months.
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