Labor victory must deliver on skills reform

With Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirming the government will focus on productivity in this term of Parliament and push forward with a national occupational licensing regime, the campaign says now is the time to deliver long-overdue reform that would help fill critical skills shortages and grow the economy.

“We congratulate the Albanese Government — but this term must be the one where we finally fix skills recognition in this country,” said campaign spokesperson and CEO of SSI, Violet Roumeliotis.

“We welcome the Treasurer’s commitment to improving productivity through changes to licensing and competition policy — and we’re saying: here’s a fix that’s fast, fair, and ready to go. Recognising the skills of the over 600,000 permanent migrants already here is one of the simplest ways to get results.”

“Australia is missing out on $9 billion in economic activity every year because migrants are working below their skill level and locked out of their professions. It’s wasteful, it’s unfair, and it’s holding the country back.”

The campaign says fixing the broken system would ease skills shortages and improve productivity across critical sectors — from aged care and construction to education and clean energy — while also relieving pressure on housing and the cost of living.

“Skilled migrants are already here. They’re trained, qualified and ready to contribute — but red tape and outdated rules are keeping them on the sidelines,” Roumeliotis said. “That’s bad for workers, bad for business, bad for productivity and bad for the economy.”

Activate Australia’s Skills — backed by unions, employers and community groups — is calling for a fast, fair and nationally consistent system for recognising overseas skills.

“We’re ready to work constructively with the new Albanese Labor government to get this done,” Roumeliotis said. “Let’s stop wasting potential — and start delivering on productivity where it counts. By fixing this, we all win.”

The Activate Australia’s Skills campaign, convened by non-profit SSI, is calling on the returned Albanese Government to implement key skills recognition reforms:

• Establish one national governance system for all overseas skills and qualifications recognition, including an Ombudsman with regulatory power to provide independent oversight and transparency.
• Create a more joined-up system that links skills recognition for migration purposes with licensing and accreditation for employment purposes.
• Provide financial support for individuals to remove cost barriers and an online portal with all the information so people know what they need to do.
• Set up Migrant Employment Pathway Hubs with skills recognition navigators to get qualified people working in their professions again.

Essential Research polling conducted earlier this year found there is strong support among the Australian public for skills recognition reform. Over 80% of people surveyed believed reforming the skills recognition system was important to help address skill shortages and ensure communities across the country have better access to essential services. More than 60% of respondents believed the federal government should take responsibility and ensure equivalent skills and qualifications are recognised.

Tamara Kotoyan

0430 291 890

Tamara.Kotoyan@essentialmedia.com.au