Left off government ‘priority’ list
I’m very disappointed the Federal Government has left auto trades off its Priority Migration Skilled Occupations List (PMSOL).
The PMSOL allows skilled migrants to enter Australia under sponsorship arrangements with employers needing labour. And let me tell you – we need labour.
VACC research shows a current skills gap of 31,140 automotive positions nationally. This is the highest skilled labour shortage for the automotive industry in Australia’s history. Fifty-two percent of all automotive service and repair businesses nationally suffer from acute labour shortages – in regional areas it is 56.5 percent. On average, it takes auto businesses six to nine months to fill skilled positions.
That’s just not good enough.
The skills shortage is affecting consumers, who now face unprecedented wait times for vehicle service and repair work, which could create unacceptable driving conditions on our roads.
The government has announced an additional 22 ‘priority’ occupations, bringing the PMSOL to 41 positions. Not one is from the automotive industry.
The Federal Government says it engaged with small, medium and large employers, business leaders, and industry bodies across the economy to determine these changes. They didn’t engage with the auto industry, and I want to know why.
The automotive industry employs 384,810 people nationally in positions that keep the country moving, enabling Australian businesses to survive and thrive. What could be more critical than that?
As a matter of urgency, the Federal Government needs to update its ‘priority’ list to include general and diesel motor mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, panel beaters, and vehicle painters.
Australia could grind to a halt if it doesn’t.
Words: VACC CEO, Geoff Gwilym. As featured in the Herald Sun 2 July 2021.
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