Event Session
Migration - Place Based Solutions
Description
- Mark examined the disconnect between migration into Australia and South Australia’s share of migrants needed to fill workforce shortages.
- While national migration program numbers increased from 160,000 to 195,000, almost 500,000 job vacancies remained in May 2022.
- South Australia accounts for only 2.4% of all migrants entering Australia under the 482 visa program, which replaced the 457 visa.
- Mark suggested this imbalance is partly due to a shift toward programs prioritising skilled migrants with employment pre-arranged before travel, rather than invitations based on current skills demand.
- As a result, many skilled migrants are settling in larger metropolitan areas where employment opportunities are concentrated.
- Smaller cities and regional areas continue to struggle to access the workforce support needed through existing migration programs.
- With regional workforce gaps persisting, Mark proposed reviewing the effectiveness of the current supply-driven migration model.
- Increasing migration numbers could strengthen regional economies and generate additional jobs locally.
- Data indicates that for every one demand-driven job filled by a migrant, a further 1.6 jobs and training opportunities are created for local residents.
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