Home Property Australia Migration review finds a ‘broken’ system

Migration review finds a ‘broken’ system

  • May 03, 2023
  • by Property Australia
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil (Twitter @PressClubAust)

Australia’s migration system is “broken” and is failing migrants and our businesses according to a major review of Australia’s migration system.

“Our migration system is suffering from a decade of genuinely breathtaking neglect,” Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said at the National Press Club.

“It is broken. It is failing our businesses, it is failing migrants themselves. And most importantly, it is failing Australians.

“That cannot continue. Because we face big national challenges that migration can help us resolve.

“Our economy is stuck in a productivity rut, and Australians are suffering because of it. Migration can help us change that.”

Ms O’Neil has already announced two reforms to the migration system.

The Australian Government will increase the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold from $53,900 to $70,000 from July 1, where it would have been if the threshold was indexed over the last decade.

The government also announced by the end of 2023, Temporary Skill Shortage short stream visa holders will have a pathway to permanent residency within our existing capped permanent program.

Property Council of Australia Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said it was the right time to discuss a settlement strategy for the nation, pointing to the need for better planning of infrastructure and housing to support future growth.

Mr Zorbas said the findings announced at the National Press Club today by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil were timely, as labour shortages continue to bite across the economy and the construction sector continues to cry out for skilled labour.

“The property sector in particular needs skilled workers to deliver the infrastructure and projects that are already in the pipeline, and that our nation badly needs,” Mr Zorbas said.

“The skilled migrants who come to work in Australia, and the students who come to study, are two of our greatest economic and social assets.

“Skilled migrants underpin our economic success, so often taking on jobs that businesses are desperately trying to fill in a variety of industries including construction, mining and in our caring workforce in childcare and aged care.

“These are jobs that matter deeply. What’s more, when migrants take on these important jobs, they then spend their incomes here, and pay tax here, all fuelling our national economy,” he said.

Mr Zorbas said underpinning all migration plans is a greater supply of new homes.

According to the review, significant modifications are needed for Australia’s present skilled immigration programs as the current skilled occupation lists do not align with the existing or expected demands for skilled labor.

This includes the shift towards a net-zero economy and the development of crucial sovereign capabilities.

The primary recommendation of the review is to establish simplified channels for highly paid skilled workers to migrate permanently to Australia, utilizing accelerated visa processing regulations.

The proposed changes also involve introducing a new visa category for care industry workers, revamping the inventory of sought-after skills, and raising the minimum salary criteria for sponsoring temporary employees.