Changes to the migration system have been hailed by unions and business groups as crucial to improving working conditions and boosting the economy.
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The federal government on Monday unveiled its migration strategy, which aims to lure skilled migrants to Australia while cracking down on non-genuine international students and migrant worker exploitation.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with union and business group representatives, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the plan had the seal of approval from parties who often disagreed.
"The reason it has consensus is because we can solve the biggest problems that are challenging Australian workers and challenging Australian businesses at the same time," she told reporters on Monday.
Australian Council of Trade Unions assistant secretary Liam O'Brien welcomed a new Skills in Demand visa, saying it would make it easier for temporary skilled migrants to leave exploitative situations and find jobs with better conditions and pay.
"Migrant worker exploitation is rampant in this country, one of the key causes being visa conditions that effectively bond temporary migrant workers to their employer sponsor," he said.
"We commend the Albanese government for putting a stop to this exploitative model."
The Business Council of Australia, meanwhile, has commended the benefits the strategy would offer to long-term migration planning.
"Australia's prosperity, our jobs, our living standards and the strength of our economy are all directly linked to a successful, efficient and well targeted migration program and these changes get the balance right," chief executive Bran Black said.
"Migration is not a substitute for investment in Australian jobs and skills, but it is a key tool to fill skills shortages, bring in the best global talent and address the nation's demographic challenges."
Tech Council of Australia CEO Kate Pounder said the government's proposed specialist skills pathway would reduce red tape and address critical shortages in the tech industry.
"These changes will help Australia become a world-leader in cutting-edge technologies like quantum, clean energy, and AI," she said.
"The tech experts that come to Australia thanks to these reforms will help train and upskill existing workers, which will not only benefit their careers, but the economy as a whole."
Committee for Economic Development of Australia chief executive Melinda Cilento also welcomed the Skills in Demand visa and specialist skills pathway as a part of the solution for addressing long-term shortages in the care sectors.
The strategy's plan to bolster the integrity of international education has been celebrated by Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson.
"Measures to preserve and strengthen the integrity of our system and to streamline it, making it easier for students to navigate, are very welcome," she said.
But the Student Accommodation Council has warned against arbitrarily reducing international student numbers, a position echoed by Property Council Group executive Matthew Kandelaars.
"International students spend roughly $4000 per month in our economy, and otherwise attract 300,000 visitors each year who visit them and drive our tourism numbers," he said.
He suggested investing in purpose-built student accommodation to remove them from the rental market while providing adequate housing.
Meanwhile, Unions NSW have called on the government to lift restrictions on international student working hours and abolish farm work requirements for working holiday makers, which secretary Mark Morey says are key drivers of exploitation.
Australian Associated Press
