New changes are coming with the conclusion of the Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit, which brought together the government, employers, unions and the broader community to agree on immediate actions to help build a stronger economy and country.
With Australia’s labour market and economy facing huge challenges over the last few years, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with industry leaders, unions, and other stakeholders, laid out the government’s priorities.
Have a better-skilled, better-trained workforce
While Australia’s unemployment rate has hit an all-time 50-year low, the OECD reported the country second in having the most severe labour and skills shortage in the world. According to Reuters, recent government data showed that there were more jobs in the market than job seekers.
Aside from improving the country’s migration system, which efforts to do so have already begun, the Australian Government will also enforce actions to upskill its existing workforce.
Some of these actions include the $1.1B training package that will accelerate the delivery of 465,000 additional fee-free TAFE places and the establishment of Jobs and Skills Australia as a tripartite governance to address workforce shortages and build long-term capacity in priority sectors.
The Australian Government will also be further working on kick-starting skills sector reforms and discussions for a 5-year National Skills Agreement, as well as reinvigorate foundation skills programs to support workers and vulnerable Australians to gain secure employment choices.
Address skills shortages by strengthening the migration system
Australia’s skilled migration system stagnated during the previous government, with a backlog of over 914,000 applications for permanent and temporary visas as of last month.
In a Reuters article, it was found that the delays were caused by resource shortages at immigration offices. Aside from this, visa applications were also unattended for two years since the government closed the country’s borders throughout the pandemic.
To help improve Australia’s migration system, the Australian Government has promised to increase the permanent Migration Program planning level and allow two additional years of stay for recent graduates with select degrees in areas of verified skills shortages to strengthen the pipeline of skilled labour in Australia.
The Jobs and Skills Summit also saw to the decision to extend the relaxation of work restrictions for student and training visa holders until 30 June 2023, as well as expand pathways to permanent residency for temporary skilled sponsored workers.
Boost job security and wages, and create safe, fair and productive workplaces
In order to improve job security and wages across the country, the Australian Government will be updating the Fair Work Act to create a simple, flexible and fair new framework as well as strengthen tripartism and constructive social dialogue in Australian workplace relations.
Further work will also be done to support the Fair Work Commission in its efforts to build cooperative workplace relationships, improve safety, fairness and productivity in workplaces, and set fair minimum standards to ensure the Road Transport Industry is safe, sustainable and viable.
There will also be a detailed consultation and research process on living wage and the impact of workplace relations settings on work and care.
Promote equal opportunities and reduce barriers to employment
While some workplace changes have been put forward by the government during the summit, such as extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks, more actions have been raised to promote opportunities and reduce barriers in the workplace.
One of the immediate actions that the government will take is providing pensioners with a temporary upfront $4,000 income bank credit, allowing them to work and earn more before their pension is reduced.
Gender equality will also be focused upon by the government as employers will now be required to publicly report their gender pay gap and commit to measurable targets to improve gender equality in their workplaces.
The Australian Government is also planning to work with members of the National Closing the Gap Agreement to examine a Closing the Gap policy partnership on the economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Maximise jobs and opportunities in industries and communities
With the country facing a skills shortage crisis, the Australian Government is moving to respond to the demand by supporting employment growth and skills development in the digital and technology fields across the economy.
A few of the actions that the government will take are the implementation of a Digital and Tech Skills Compact to deliver ‘Digital Apprenticeships’ that will support workers while they learn in entry-level tech roles.
They will also work to deliver 1,000 digital traineeships in the Australian Public Service for women, First Nations people, older Australians, and veterans transitioning to civilian life.