So we’re seeing the PMSOL Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List grow from just over ten occupations at the start to more than forty now, designed to give employers the green light to address pressing skills shortages.

We’re also seeing most state nomination lists’ eligible occupations expand significantly this financial year compared to last financial year, and in just the first two months of the new financial year, some states have added occupations again and again — the most typical example being Victoria, which recently first gave chefsa special migration pathway, then a week later added childcare teachers (childcare teacher), and just today the IT sector saw many new sub-fields added too.

What’s more, the Victorian government has stressed that even fields not shown in the chart will still be considered for invitation, as long as Digital-type skills are being applied in another Target Sector — opportunities keep growing, so don’t miss out!

Facing a shortfall of 110,000 workers over the next 10 years

There’s one industry that came up repeatedly during the pandemic — one the government repeatedly backed with preferential support policies — and it’s sounding the alarm again: International border restrictions have already started seriously undermining employers’ ability to recruit staff in this industry — if the border still isn’t reopened to overseas migrants, this will be the single biggest problem facing the whole industry next year!

A report released last month by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) points out that the aged care industry faces a shortfall of 110,000 workers over the next 10 years, and that’s the bare minimum, with the gap expected to grow to 400,000 by 2050!

The head of RSL Lifecare said that, based on discussions with many industry peers, they all believe the biggest risk facing the sector over the next 12 months — possibly as long as 18 months — is the workforce shortage.

“I think there’s going to be a huge shortfall — not just in aged care, but possibly in healthcare, possibly in hospitality, possibly in fruit picking too — all of it.”

Overseas migrants are still needed

But compared with other industries, these are ones the government is prioritising and supporting with full effort across the board. The head of another major aged care body, Leading Age Services Australia, said relaxing student visa restrictions (allowing international students working in the industry to work full-time) has provided “much-needed relief” for the workforce pressure.

But the workforce problem in this industry isn’t a short-term issue, it’s going to persist, and the government needs to pursue “every available option” to prevent a serious shortage.

Without overseas migrants, the pool of suitable candidates keeps shrinking — the government should draw up strategies and policies as soon as possible to restart (overseas) migration.

Because there’s no fresh overseas talent coming in, the industry is also experiencing internal strain, with the latest data showing staff turnover rising sharply — and due to resource constraints, those currently working in the industry are under even greater pressure.

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