Strengthening Permanent Migration and Overseas Skills Recognition
The value of permanent migration and the importance of harnessing overseas skills and qualifications within the local community should now be at the forefront of Australia’s migration system, following the release of the federal government’s Migration Strategy.
CORE Community Services welcomes the government’s initiative in overhauling a migration system that had become exceedingly complex through multiple visa classes and difficult pathways for prospective new arrivals.
Supporting Skilled Migration and Community Contribution
A Focus on Connecting Migrants With Communities and Jobs
CORE CEO Juana Reinoso welcomed the Strategy’s focus on attracting people with the right skills to contribute to both the community and the economy.
“Australia has an outstanding record of achievement in attracting and settling people from around the world, and it is important that we do everything possible to give new arrivals the best chance of connecting with communities and jobs.
“The Strategy provides a strong framework to build better pathways for migrants and improved social connections with communities and services in Australia,” she said.
CORE’s Role in the Fairfield LGA
CORE Community Services is one of the largest settlement service providers in the Fairfield LGA in New South Wales, which receives the largest proportion of new arrivals in Australia.
Barriers in Overseas Skills and Qualification Recognition
Slow and Cumbersome Processes
One of the key obstacles for many arrivals has been the daunting process of recognition of overseas skills and qualifications. Ms Reinoso said that although the new focus on skilled migration is welcome, many migrants continue to face real barriers to employment due to slow and cumbersome skills recognition processes.
“Many migrants are not able to gain recognition for their qualifications and end up working in low skilled jobs or in positions well below their ability,” she said.
Need for Mutual Recognition Across States and Industry Bodies
Ms Reinoso emphasised the need to remove barriers to mutual recognition of skills across states and territories, as well as within industry bodies and professional associations with onerous and costly assessments.
“There continues to be many migrants who have worked as engineers, doctors and IT professionals in their home countries but who are forced to work in jobs well below their ability, or who have simply given up on the process of overseas skills recognition.”
CORE has identified that around 30 per cent of refugees and migrants have transferable skills gained overseas but struggle to work independently in Australia due to tedious, costly recognition requirements.
Advancing Permanent Residency and Citizenship Pathways
Moving Beyond Temporary Visa Status
CORE also welcomes the Strategy’s focus on permanent residency as a key feature of the migration system, as highlighted in the Parkinson Review. CORE regularly works with individuals stuck in limbo, unable to gain citizenship because of administrative complexity and inflexible rules.
One of the key priorities must be moving people off temporary visas and onto more permanent pathways where they can contribute and enjoy the benefits of citizenship.
“We want people to realise the mutual benefits that accrue through permanence and citizenship, not be left stranded in temporary migration,” Ms Reinoso said.
Working Toward a Streamlined Migration System
Supporting New Arrivals in South-West Sydney
CORE looks forward to working with Commonwealth and State governments to support the thousands of new arrivals who will settle in South-West Sydney in the coming years, as well as those already living in the community.
While many migrants experience success, others continue to struggle to access basic services such as housing, healthcare, childcare and education.
A Modern Migration System for National Growth
CORE applauds the work of Ministers Clare O’Neil and Andrew Giles and the Department of Home Affairs in revamping the migration system.
CORE believes that a streamlined migration system can play a significant role in Australia’s economic and social development, especially as the country competes with other advanced economies for global talent and investment.