SKILLS SHORTAGES IN AUSTRALIA

A recent Australian Industry Group (AIG) survey published in July 2010 has found that in the post global crisis (especially since October 2009) and in the context of the re-bounding Australian markets, the skill shortage experienced across almost every industry type but particulary engineering disciplines, health and allied services, accountancy ,hospitality, metal and other trades and other professional sectors looms large and is certain to have a serious impact on the entire Australian economy.

A combination of poor government planning for the long-term and short-sighted employment practices resulting in little structured policy dealing with industry and occupational training and a poor training culture within Australian business entities. This negligence has left Australia critically short of the labour resources it needs to make the most of its strong position emerging from the recent global slow-down.

In the continuing climate of low training take-up in apprenticeships or trainee positions and facing a dearth of appropriately qualified staff across the trades and professions to meet this demand business in Australia requires immediate solutions

If there are not enough skilled employees to fill jobs then the only option in the short term at least, is to introduce overseas personnel. Options for employers and employees include temporary employer sponsored visas for up to 4 years, or a number of permanent skilled visa options –employer driven or otherwise- depending upon the particular circumstances.

For people interested in migrating to Australia to work, this is the time. For employers The option of employing overseas skilled employees becomes a very real option for employers unable to attract apprentices or trainees or with limited access to tradesmen and other skilled employees. Employers have the option of sponsoring skilled workers for up to 4 years at a time by using the Temporary Business Entry (TBE) 457 visa (see 457 visa page). This is useful to give the employer the opportunity to evaluate the worth of the employee and he may then be in a better position to consider more permanent employment visa options noted below. The permanent employer sponsored visas Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa and the concessionary Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa are favoured visa categories so if applicants are able to secure a sponsor or nominator company then the chance of success (and quicker processing) is very much improved. The list of available occupations (selected from the Employer Nominated Scheme Skilled occupation list are broader because this category is seen more to be employer-driven so the intention is to give employers more choice when seeking skilled staff. These visas are time limited (3 and 2 contract years respectively) but only the RSMS requirement is protected by migration law so only RSMS candidates are bound by the terms of their visas to stay in the regional area for the respective term of their visas. Benefits of ENS/RSMS visas Whilst independent or visas are clearly more attractive from the point of view of an individual’s freedom to choose where to live and work, the advantages of the ENS are significant –both for employers and employees alike. A broader occupation choice, priority visa processing and reduced processing time (5-7 months DIAC service standard for low risk countries) together with the capacity for applicants to apply for positions whilst over the 45 year cut-off for the independent visa categories give ENS a major advantage over the rest. The RSMS offers many benefits to both employers and employees if the occupation and the employer is based in a regional area.

Independent and sponsored employees

There are independent and Australian sponsored independent visa categories of permanent work visas which require certain threshold criteria to be met including points. There have however been significant changes to the General Skilled migration (GSM) program in recent years by sharply down-sizing the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) as at 1 July 2010 (whilst expanding it marginally as at the 1 July 2011) which has reduced the opportunity for individuals to apply under their own steam.

New SOL and FAQs (86 KB)

Also a radical new points test has been introduced as at the 1 July 2011

New Points test (81 KB)

Clearly, the ability to apply independently is limited - both in the ability to select an occupation from the new reduced SOL list and also to qualify under the new points test. Regrettably the Australian government seems to place little value in age-gathered experience and wisdom, so candidates over 35 without a second language will find it difficult.

Non points-tested regional visa There are specially geared non points tested regional visas which offer advantages to certain applicants. In most cases ‘regional’ simply means outside Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth. The whole of South Australia and Tasmania and the Northern Territory and the non-metropolitan areas of the other states are treated as regional for most of these visas, so you won’t be living among the kangaroos! These visas can be both employer or regional authority sponsored visas under the RSMS.  For those uncertain of what they wish to commit to or who cannot yet qualify in their chosen profession in either metropolitan or rural areas, then there is the Business Entry Long Stay 457 visa. Applicants may subsequently -if they have skills on the SOL- apply for a permanent Independent Skilled visa if young enough, or a permanent employer sponsored visa such as the ENS visa or the regional version RSMS. Interested applicants can apply directly for the ENS or RSMS from offshore or from a valid visa (not a visitor visa) whilst in Australia. There is a choice of pathways for both on or off-shore ENS visas (skills assessment + 3 years post qualification experience or executive salary) and additionally an option only for on-shore applicants; 2 years employment on a 457 visa and 12 months employment with the nominating employer prior to application in the same occupation.   RSMS is useful for new graduates as there in no work experience requirement. There is no gazetted occupation list (position must be certified) and skill and English are concessionary (lower) and similarly to ENS, exceptional circumstances can be argued if prescribed age, skill and English requirements can't be met.

Next Steps ?

Independent visas

If you are interested in migrating to Australia to work and wish to do so independent of an employer then -by way of preliminary investigation - the appropriate Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

New SOL and FAQs (81 KB)

If an appropriate occupation cannot be located from the SOL then you will fail in the independent categories.

Permanent ENS /RSMS visas In the event that you cannot select an occupation off SOL or otherwise satisfy the basic requirements, you should consider the temporary or permanent non-points tested visa categories. The employer-sponsored temporary (457) work visa is also available if you can show your skills are appropriate to the tasks required, or alternatively, the employer nominated permanent visa (ENS, RSMS), if you can establish you are a highly skilled employee by a variety of available pathways. Occupations for the 457 work visa and the ENS (ENSOL) must be gazetted (similarly to SOL). STOP PRESS! AustJOBS - New Employer Sponsorship opportunities! Signet has recently teamed with a company called AustJOBS. The AustJOBS service provides the opportunity for profiles of Signet Clients to be seen by many prospective Australian employers. AustJOBS is a brand-new service. When given access to this service by Signet, you will be  able to enter your profile including eduactional qualifications and employment experience, together with the relevant attachments enabling you to best present your profile and capabilities for employment to Australian businesses. Whilst AustJOBS cannot guarantee that you will receive a job offer, AustJOBS will be launching a major promotion to the Australia employment industry shortly to raise awareness among Australian employers of our clients' skills, qualifications and profiles. Australian businesses interested in discussing employment with applicants after accessing the service will firstly contact us so direct contact between the parties can be made. A further initiative from AustJOBS has also been announced recently to provide the opportunity for AustJOBS agents to advertise genuine job openings on behalf of thier corporate clients on the new Job Opportunities Board at AustJOBS. More details to be released shortly! To be invited to join this service please contact Signet by e-mail or Contact us form, being sure to include your name and e-mail address and we will  send you an e-invitation to join promptly. I would suggest also that you also peruse the State related web-site links on my links page to gather information about where you may want to live. The alternative to this is to complete my brief ‘General Skilled Assessment’ form on the ‘Assessment’ page of my website and request a preliminary assessment based on the information you provide. Please include as much information as you can in the ‘Further Questions’ section.”

Please note

The details provided on this page are for general information only and is not intended to be specific to any one applicant. For all enquiries related to this information and indeed all other enquiries to do with temporary or permanent skilled visas please contact me by telephone on my contact page or send me an e-mail