
On Monday, the Australian Government unveiled intentions to address Australia’s “broken migration system” and restore migration to levels deemed sustainable and normal.
The Migration Strategy outlines significant reforms to Australia’s migration system, aiming to meet the future needs of the nation.
The focus of these reforms includes the implementation of targeted skilled migration and streamlined pathways for top global talent.
Additionally, there will be higher standards for international students and education providers to elevate the quality of international education.
Visa settings are being adjusted to address worker exploitation and the strategy includes support for regional Australia to access skilled workers.
“Our Migration Strategy is a bold plan to get migration working again for all Australians,” Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil said.
“The Strategy helps us get the skills we need – in healthcare, for our net zero transition and in our digital economy.
“We are acting to design out migrant worker exploitation from the system so we can protect wages and conditions for migrants and locals alike.
“This Strategy is about building back integrity into the system, with Treasury forecasts showing that migration is expected to decline substantially over the next financial year.”
The Property Council of Australia has urged for a sharper focus on the mix of skilled migrants coming into Australia to ensure that industry has the labour capacity to deliver the 1.2 million new homes demanded by the National Cabinet.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said market capacity and labour scarcity are the key construction cost drivers to the end of the decade and these could not be solved by training and apprenticeships programs alone.
“Adjusting up the mix of skilled migrants in a smaller intake with a greater emphasis on construction trades is vital for building Australia’s future homes,” Mr Zorbas.
“The Property Council looks forward to working with Jobs and Skills Australia to ensure that this occurs.
“We have one shot at getting our housing crisis under control.
“Over the past 20 years, only 1.8 per cent of permanent migrants have arrived employed in construction trades and these trades are not in the top 10 occupations for either permanent or temporary migration.
“Every 1,000 new skilled migrants who come to Australia bring $120 million in economic benefits.
“Given the benefits that skilled migration brings the nation, today’s announcement is a down payment, a temporary slowing of migration, that must be followed by a clear and targeted focus on welcoming the right workers who will build the homes we need.
“In Victoria alone, to deliver the state government’s ambitious target of 80,000 new homes every year across the next decade will require another 191,000 people in the construction workforce by 2034,” he said.
Property Council Group Executive Policy and Advocacy Matthew Kandelaars said a focus on genuine international student visas was necessary, but a cap on overall numbers should be resisted.
“A solution to housing international students without having them compete for beds in the broader rental market is hiding in plain sight but needs the support of state and territory governments,” he said.
“State planning and tax systems have either ignored the benefits of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) or used it as a cash cow to prop up budgets in massive structural deficit.
“PBSA plays a crucial role in providing safe, high amenity housing for students who are a vital source of life for our CBDs.
“The sector ensures a strong pipeline of beds that take nearly 80,000 people each year out of the wider rental market – reducing demand and easing affordability.
“Instead of streamlining planning process for PBSA projects or recognising its value for our cities, we’ve instead seen foreign investor taxes and increases to council rates that deter investment in high-community benefit housing like PBSA.
“In a globally competitive environment for the best and brightest, we need to cultivate the brainpower essential for driving Australia’s future prosperity and preserving our status as a destination of choice for international students.
“Prioritising PBSA, so students are not competing for beds in the general rental market, is critical. States and territories need to urgently realise the advantages of PBSA and plan accordingly.”