PVCA WELCOMES IMMIGRATION REFORM

The federal government’s decision to overhaul the immigration system has been cautiously welcomed by the Print & Visual Communication Association.

The 2022 Parkinson Review of the country's immigration system will result in a significant shake-up of the government's migration strategy, with PVCA* saying it is a necessary component in the development of a skills and labour channel.

The Review addressed a range of issues, including Australia's reliance on temporary immigration, skills lists, and ageing information technology systems within Home Affairs. The report also highlighted concerns about the complexity of the immigration system and the resulting immigration backlogs.

A central challenge for reforming the immigration system is its size, complexity, with 100 different visas as well as tailored labour agreements, and detailed admission requirements.

The review also emphasised that Australia must develop a more diverse economy to address the challenges of an ageing population and reduced productivity. In this regard, the development of skills and capabilities will be crucial, and immigration can play a significant role.

The review represents a wholesale critique and a potentially significant reform of the immigration system, rather than, in the words of minister for Home Affairs Claire O'Neil, “ad hoc” changes.

O'Neill highlighted several areas the overhaul would focus on, including scrapping labour market testing rules and facilitating small businesses' access to the migration program to attract workers. These changes aim to make the immigration system more responsive to the needs of Australian businesses and industries. The government's goal is to establish an immigration system that is more streamlined, efficient, and supports Australia's economic growth while maintaining the integrity of the system.

Kellie Northwood, chief executive officer, PVCA, said, “The PVCA has long been advocating for a range of amendments to the immigration system. We know first-hand the frustrations being experienced by employers. From our industry’s perspective, the worker migration system has become overly complicated, costly and dissuades employers, particularly smaller businesses, from entering into the process.

“Although not all of the implementation details have been announced, we welcome the review findings and the minister’s commitment to making purposeful changes.

“To assist our members in what is a complex web of labour-related requirements and issues, the PVCA is in the process of delivering an industry specific initiative to provide members with worker related migration services. However, the government’s proposal to overhaul the system is another necessary component that will hopefully contribute to developing a sustainable channel of workers into our industry.”

Northwood cautioned though that the implementation of the Review will need to be monitored and adjusted where necessary to achieve desired outcomes. She said, “Although the proposal to overhaul the system and reduce complexity are welcomed, there are nevertheless aspects that require caution. Associated costs including the proposed lifting of the temporary skilled migration income threshold to $70,000 will need to be scrutinised for potential detriment. Further, the selection process for migrants needs to ensure it is informed and considers a broader range of skill sets and attributes than in the current system. The government will need to undertake ongoing consultation with industry to ensure the overhaul results in appropriately beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders and finally that any priority to skilled migration does not override investment in local employee groups as well as skills and training.”

Alongside supporting immigration options for industry, the PVCA will continue to advocate and support industry partnerships across Indigenous, disability, corrective service, and more diverse employment sectors to build strong employment pathway options for members and employees looking to embrace the industry.

Partnering with The Smith Family, the Diversity Council of Australia and others is on the agenda to keep members informed across all options to available employment and skilled labour locally as well as internationally.

[*On 9 June, PVCA relaunched as Visual Media Association, but the official changeover to the new name has not come into effect yet. ]