Government asked to support engineering migration

APESMA has urged the Rudd government not to include professional engineers in forecast migration cuts and also asked for comprehensive investment in domestic engineering skills.

APESMA CEO Chris Walton said the need for technology professionals was critical with the upcoming infrastructure, water and climate change projects.

“Australia faces international competition for the skills of technical professionals due to the extent of the skills shortage, particularly in the Asia–Pacific region,” Walton said.

APESMA is asking the Rudd government to support and retain skills by:

• reducing HECS on technical degrees;
• supporting the employment prospects of overseas born engineering graduates;
• ensuring high levels of investment in training and development, including retraining where necessary; and
• requiring that overseas professional engineers receive market rates of salary.

“There are significant opportunities to up-skill, train and re-train technology professionals in Australia, but these are currently under utilised," said Walton.

“Most applications for labour agreements are from migration agents and labour hire firms who do not contribute to training and up-skilling technical professionals that they are applying to bring into Australia.

“Prescribed 457 visa minimum salary levels are insufficient. APESMA has seen a number of labour agreements where employers proposed paying overseas employees significantly less than market rates.

“In the absence of a collective agreement, all professional employees should be paid market rates to prevent exploitation, and ensure Australian industry retains much-needed skills — both now and in the future,” Walton said.