Skilled Migration List Prioritizes Yoga Teachers and Wushu Masters Over Tradies
A peak Australian construction body has raised concerns about the government’s approach to addressing the shortage of building workers.
The Jobs and Skills Australia draft released by the federal government has drawn criticism from the construction industry for prioritizing professions like yoga instructors and dog handlers over trades such as bricklaying and plumbing, which are crucial given the extensive building and labor shortages in Australia.
Last year, the Albanese government pledged to oversee the construction of 1.2 million new homes within five years, further emphasizing the need for skilled workers in the construction sector.
The list of professions identified as in demand includes television journalists, university lecturers, medical professionals, and instructors in wushu, a Chinese martial art.
On the contrary, professions like livestock farmers, vegetable and sugar cane growers, university tutors, and instructors for non-English speakers are deemed to be least in need of migrant labor.
Bricklayers, stonemasons, tilers, plumbers, and various agricultural roles are on the list of professions that are still being considered, indicating the uncertainty in their demand for migrant labor.
The Master Builders Australia CEO, Denita Wawn, expressed concerns about the government’s lack of focus on skilled migration for the construction sector during a media conference in Canberra, stressing the need for 500,000 additional workers in the industry to meet the target of building 1.2 million homes and associated infrastructure.
Labor shortages have led to a significant increase in building costs, and Ms. Wawn highlighted the need for the government to prioritize skilled migration and encourage more women to pursue trades as a solution to the ongoing challenges in the industry.
While the list of professions is still being finalized by Jobs and Skills Australia, the federal government approved 10,540 visas for tradespeople in the 2022/23 financial year, recognizing the valuable contribution of skilled migrants to the economy and job creation.
Federal Minister for Housing Julie Collins has been approached for comment on this matter.
