Skills recognition is the “shovel ready”productivity reform which can unlock $9bn

Reforming Australia’s outdated overseas skills recognition system could unlock $9
billion in productivity and economic gains and should be implemented immediately,
according to the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign.

The call comes as the Prime Minister announced plans to convene a national
productivity roundtable in August to tackle Australia’s economic challenges.

The Activate Australia’s Skills campaign, supported by over 100 businesses, unions,
industry peaks and community organisations, is calling for reforms to fix Australia’s
bureaucratic, expensive and disjointed overseas skills recognition system and boost
productivity.

Campaign Director Dane Moores called the reforms “shovel-ready” and “common-
sense” solutions that would deliver immediate productivity gains.

“These reforms are already widely supported by businesses, unions, industry groups
and community organisations, all of which see the huge upsides from better
harnessing the skills and productivity of workers already here,” he said.

“There are 620,000 people already living in Australia right now working below their
skill level because of the barriers they face in having their overseas skills and
qualifications recognised.

“At the same time, we have skills shortages across almost every industry acting as a
handbrake on productivity and economic growth.”

Mr Moores said Australia could unlock $9 billion in GDP and fill skill shortages across
the economy by cutting needless red tape and bureaucracy in skills recognition
processes.

“If the Government is serious about lifting productivity, it must get serious about
activating skills,” Mr Moores said.

“What we are talking about is a common-sense productivity solution: fix the skills
recognition system so qualified people can work at their full potential and do the jobs
we desperately need them to fill.

“Skills recognition reform is the best way to kickstart Australia’s productivity project.”
The Activate Australia’s Skills campaign, convened by non-profit SSI, is calling for
key skills recognition reforms:

• Establish one national governance system for all overseas skills and
  qualifications recognition, including an Ombudsman with regulatory power to
  provide independent oversight and transparency.
• Create a more joined-up system that links skills recognition for migration
  purposes with licensing and accreditation for employment purposes.
• Provide financial support for individuals to remove cost barriers and an online
  portal with all the information so people know what they need to do.
• Set up Migrant Employment Pathway Hubs, or career gateways, with skills
  recognition navigators to get qualified people working in their professions
  again.

Several prominent Australians have endorsed these sensible reforms to unlock skills
and productivity, including former Treasury Secretary Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM,
former Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens AC and CEDA CEO Melinda Cilento.