The Business Council welcomes the announcement today of an expanded Core Skills Occupation List which streamlines migration settings and helps fill key skills shortages across the economy.
BCA Chief Executive, Bran Black, said addressing Australia’s skills crisis requires a two prong approach: getting the training settings right for Australian workers; and ensuring migration settings are right to fill gaps.
“We always want to see Australians obtain the right skills to access job opportunities in growing and new sectors but right now we have significant workforce shortages and the changes announced today will help fill gaps,” Mr Black said.
The BCA’s recent ‘It’s time to say yes to housing report’ highlighted the need for skilled migration visa settings that attract the trained workers we require and better systems to recognise existing qualifications.
“We called for more skilled workers to help boost housing supply and today’s announcement is a very useful step in the right direction” Mr Black said.
“Australian businesses can’t build more houses, care for an ageing population and embark on the energy transition if we don’t have enough skilled workers.”
“These are the major challenges and opportunities for our economy – and better skills settings like those announced today go right to the heart of meeting them”, Mr Black said.
The Business Council says the Government should consider calls to expand the list further and add labourers, machine operators and drivers to the fast-track Specialist Skills visa pathway, so all hands are on deck to address critical skills gaps in housing, infrastructure, manufacturing and supply chains.
