Final Report of the Inquiry into Australia's Skilled Migration Program August 2021

[TeeTMI]

Final Report of the Inquiry into Australia's Skilled Migration Program August 2021
 

Full Report https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Migration/SkilledMigrationProgram/Report_2 List of

 

Recommendations https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Migration/SkilledMigrationProgram/Report_2/section?id=committees%2Freportjnt%2F024680%2F76940
 

 

The Terms of Reference were: 

The Joint Standing Committee on Migration shall inquire into and report on Australia’s skilled migration program, with reference to:

1The purpose of the skilled migration program and whether it is meeting its intended objectives, including:

a  If any immediate adjustments are necessary in the context of the future of work and pandemic recovery, and

b.If more long-term structural changes are warranted;

2Australia’s international competitiveness in attracting entrepreneurs, venture capital, start-ups, and the best and brightest migrants with cutting edge skills;

3Skills lists and the extent to which they are meeting the needs of industries and businesses and keeping pace with Australia’s job landscape;

4The administrative requirements for Australian businesses seeking to sponsor skilled migrants, including requirements to prioritise job opportunities for Australians and job creation;

5The costs of sponsorship to businesses seeking to sponsor skilled migrants;

6The complexity of Australia’s skilled migration program including the number of visa classes under the program and their requirements, safeguards and pathways; and

7Any other related matters

[PieterLouw]

Thanks @TeeTMI, very interesting. 

I was about to read the full report but luckily came across a summary. Here's a link to the summary for the impatient: https://ia.acs.org.au/content/ia/article/2021/overhaul-skilled-migration-and-anzsco--inquiry.html

 

 

[TeeTMI]

Recommendations Include:

- Consolidating the STSOL and MLTSSL lists into a single Skilled Occupation List

- The National Skills Authority to develop a method of determining skills shortages and occupations lists that relies on dedicated and specific information.

- Determine improved methods for identifying acute skills shortages

- Provide a pathway to PR from STSOL occupations

- Considerations of concessions / different rates of TSMIT for regional areas

- Longer graduate temporary visas of three years to provide more flexibility for international graduates to gain jobs and work experience in Australia

- Addressing processing delays for applicants and employers

- Improving customer service with better communication

- Removing the need for LMT for subsequent visas when the 457/482 visa holder has held the position for 12 months or more with the sponsor

- Exempt employers for paying the SAF levy twice for the same employee

- Refund of the SAF Levy where the visa application is unsuccessful and there is no evidence of fraud on the part of the sponsor or applicant.

NB: whether these recommendations are