AIRAH has provided feedback to Jobs and Skills Australia on a draft Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) that will feed into the federal government’s revised migration strategy.

The CSOL uses the Skills Priority List as a starting point, then analyses whether migration is an appropriate path to address any shortages identified. It considers how well migrants do in the labour market upon arrival, reliance on sponsored skilled visa holders relative to employment size and vacancy data, the likelihood of domestic supply for those occupations, and the market salary for occupations.

AIRAH flagged concerns that professions such as Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic (ANZSCO 342111) and Mechanical Engineer (ANZSCO 233512) were not included on the CSOL because of the difficulties migrant workers in these occupations face when moving to Australia. We have called for the government to confirm these occupations on the CSOL and address the barriers for migrant workers.