Labour shortages – Jobs and Skill Summit Outcomes Summary

Labour shortages – Jobs and Skill Summit Outcomes Summary

The Jobs and Skill Summit was held in Canberra from 1 to 2 September. CCIQ has been working with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) to put through the Queensland perspective at the federal level. Below are some highlights of key immediate policy outcomes from the Summit.

The Government and states and territories agreed to:

• A $1 billion one-year National Skills Agreement that will provide additional funding for fee-free TAFE in 2023, while a longer-term agreement that drives sector reform and supports women’s workforce participation is negotiated
• Accelerate the delivery of 465,000 additional fee-free TAFE places, with 180,000 to be delivered next year, and with costs shared with the states and territories on a 50:50 basis
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The Government will:

• Increase the permanent Migration Program planning level to 195,000 in 2022-23 to help ease widespread, critical skills shortages
• Provide $36.1 million in additional funding to accelerate visa processing and resolve the visa backlog
• Increase the duration of post-study work rights by allowing two additional years of stay for recent graduates with select degrees in areas of verified skills shortages to strengthen the pipeline of skilled labour in Australia
• Extend the relaxation of work restrictions for student and training visa holders until 30 June 2023
• Widen the remit of the National Housing Infrastructure Facility, making up to $575 million available to invest in social and affordable housing.

The Government will:

• Implement a Digital and Tech Skills Compact, with businesses and unions, to deliver ‘Digital
• Apprenticeships’ that will support workers to earn while they learn in entry-tech roles
• Deliver 1,000 digital traineeships in the APS over four years

The Government will:

• Provide Age pensioners with a temporary upfront $4,000 income bank credit to allow them to work and earn more before their pension is reduced
• Strengthening reporting standards for large employers (500 or more employees)
• Require businesses with 100 employees or more to report the gender pay gap