The National Skills Commission recently conducted its first national assessment of the Priority Skills List, determining the potential future demand of the nearly 800 occupations listed.
What is the National Skills Commission?
Established in July 2020, the National Skills Commission (NCS) provides expert advice and national leadership on Australia’s labour market and current, emerging and future workforce skills needs. They
are also responsible for simplifying and strengthening Australia’s Vocational Education and Training system.
The aim of the NSC is to understand where the high demand jobs are, and the skills needed to fill these jobs to assist in Australians getting back to work and building a strong economy for the future.
The National Skills Commission recently reviewed the Skills Priority List to determine what occupations should be added to the list and what should be removed. Each occupation on the Priority Skills List has been given a Future Demand Indicator. For example, the NSC foresees that there will be a strong demand for Civil Engineers and Pressure Welders yet there is soft future demand for Linemakers and Mixed Crop Farmers.
While skills and occupations are an important aspect of this review, the NSC also looks at what needs to be done to streamline processes now and how these processes will benefit employers in the future. Processes such as Labour Market Testing and aspects such as the Skilling Australians Fund levy will all come under review.
Labour Market Testing (LMT)
Labour Market Testing generally involves advertising a position in Australia, ensuring employers try to find a suitable qualified Australian before seeking an overseas skilled worker. While Labour Market testing has been in effect for many years, it has to a point been ineffective. It has been suggested it should perhaps be removed for skilled occupations which have been identified to be in short supply across Australia. LMT can be considered an unnecessary burden for employers across the country.
Skilling Australians Fund Levy (SAF)
The Skilling Australians Fund Levy was introduced to ’tax’ employers who were considered not to be training Australians and instead were using skilled foreign workers. The SAF levy, it’s impacts on employers and certain sectors is a complex issue and should potentially be removed at the very least until we get through the Covid-19 pandemic.
This review is about getting the Australian economy back on track as well as improving the development of the migration occupation lists.
If you would like to learn more about the Priority Skills List assessment or any other aspects of migration contact Visa Solutions on 1800 828 008.
Travel Exemptions
While Australian borders are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel exemptions may apply under the following circumstances:
– A traveller has a compassionate or compelling reason to visit Australia
– Overseas workers holding a Subclass 482 or 400 visa are required to undertake a job in Australia that cannot be filled by a local employee
Visa Solutions Australia has been successful in acquiring a broad range of exemptions, from critical workers to those needing to travel on compassionate grounds.
