Key Points
- Australia needs people to do these jobs. Here’s what it could mean for visa opportunities.
- A new report has found 286 occupations had shortages nationally, nearly double the 153 occupations in 2021.
- But updates to visa opportunities won’t be automatic.
The commission provides advice to the government to help inform its decisions, but Grattan Institute economic policy program director Brendan Coates said the new list wouldn’t necessarily lead to any immediate changes to skilled occupation lists developed by the government and used for visa processing, which drives most of Australia’s skilled migration.
The National Skills Commission’s 2022 Priority Skills List has revealed in-demand occupations. Source: SBS News
Mr Coates said the most likely first change would be an update to the Commonwealth’s , a list of 44 jobs that are needed to fill critical skills shortages in Australia.
“They are determined by the minister, taking advice from Home Affairs and the Skills Commission, but it doesn’t automatically flow through from the work of the Skills Commission.”
Healthcare workers such as nurses are one of the most in-demand professions. Source: AAP
The chief executive of the national employer association Ai Group, Innes Willox, said the release of the commission’s Priority Skills List was a reminder of the importance of the migration program to filling immediate skills gaps.
“While the National Skills Commission data are separate from the Department of Home Affairs priority Skilled Occupations list, it should provide important input as that list is updated.”
“That said, it is important to note that it is not the only input into any such advice,” the spokeswoman said.
Chefs and cooks are also in demand
In a separate statement, Mr O’Connor said the government had taken immediate steps to address the skills gaps and strengthen the VET [vocational education and training] sector.
“Itβs also why the national cabinet agreed to 180,000 fee-free TAFE places by 2023 and why the Labor Government has pledged to deliver 20,000 new university places.”
The Albanese Government has increased TAFE and university paces. Source: AAP
The commission’s report noted that the ongoing effects of COVID-19, along with the changing economic landscape, had contributed to a range of challenges in many occupations, including health professionals and teachers.
In the meantime, ongoing issues in the labour market remained, such as persistent shortages of technicians and trades workers, the report stated.
More than half of the 20 largest employing occupations (including aged and disabled carers, electrician, store person or waitress) were facing skills shortages.
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