Simplification of Australia's skilled migration system welcomed

Thursday, 27 April 2023

Simplification of Australia's skilled migration system welcomed
The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) has welcomed the announcement from Home Affairs Minister
Clare O'Neill that Australia's skilled migration system will be simplified and red tape reduced.

APHA CEO Michael Roff said he was pleased to hear the Minister reference Australia's need to compete in a global
marketplace for skilled workers and that all temporary skilled workers will have a pathway to permanent residency
by the end of the year.

"Australia is lagging behind in what it offers the workers we really need. For example, Canada rapidly moved to offer
health workers easy pathways to residency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, France and the UK have made
similar arrangements. We are on the backfoot and will have to catch up, just opening up migration again has not
been enough to entice people here.

"It is pleasing to hear the Minister reference this and talk about how we can improve the infrastructure to support
migrants when they come to Australia.

"In the private hospital sector alone there is a shortage of 8000 nurses and we continue to compete globally for a
health workforce. Having measures in place that will ensure an easy pathway to residency in Australia is a very
welcome move."
Mr Roff said removing Labour Market Testing was a key recommendation the Association put to the Government
which will streamline recruitment for overseas based workers.

"We look forward working with the Government as they develop their final plan in the coming months," Mr Roff
said.

-ENDSMedia contact: Frith Rayner, Director Communications and Marketing, 0413 971 999

Level 3 /11 National Circ, Barton ACT 2600. PO Box 4502, Kingston ACT 2604. [T] 02 6273 9000 [F] 02 6273 7000
[E] [W] www.apha.org.au [FB] ValuingPrivateHospitals [Twitter] @priv8hospitals
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