Member Login
Employment and skills update | 26 May 2023
26 May 2023
Temporary Skill Shortage visas
During the Employment and Skills Committee meeting on Tuesday, we heard from Home Affairs that Temporary Skill Shortage visas are being processed according to lodgement date. This means the new rate of $70,000 for the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will apply to all visas that are lodged from July 1.
New Highly Skilled Visa salary threshold
On Thursday, ACCI attended a business peaks roundtable hosted by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil to discuss the proposed new three-tiered visa system with a focus on the highly-skilled visa tier, which is yet to be created. This tier is to be a light-touch visa process with a focus on the income threshold as the most important factor. The recent Migration Review recommends “would need to receive a high salary of at least 1.X times Full Time Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (currently about $98,000)”. The minister will hold a joint roundtable between business and unions to discuss the range. ACCI is concerned salary is being used as a blunt instrument and that a nuanced approach is needed, given both sector differences on income and age.
Trade Support Loans Amendment Bill 2023
Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor introduced the Trade Support Loans Amendment Bill 2023 into parliament this week. Trade support loans are interest-free, income contingent government loans that supports apprentices in priority trades with the cost of living while they complete their training. The bill will amend the current Act, removing the Trade Support Loans Priority List, expand eligibility to apprentices and trainees in high-priority occupations of skills need, focus on female dominated roles and a 20 per cent discount for completion. Those eligible for a loan will be extended to all occupations on the nationals skills priority list.
Employment and Skills Committee meeting
The Employment and Skills Committee met virtually on Tuesday.
The committee heard from representatives from the office of the Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, who discussed the 2023-24 budget and the negotiations for the new National Skills Agreement (NSA). The skills ministers met last Friday to discuss the NSA, with a focus on closing the gap and increasing completions rates.
Related Posts
Workplace Relations
26/07/2024
Modern Awards – Casual Employment Term Last week, the Fair Work Commission President, Justice Hatcher, made a statement announcing proceedings on the Commission’s own initiative to determine...
Workplace Relations
19/07/2024
Modern Awards Review The Fair Work Commission published its report on the Modern Awards Review 2023-24 yesterday, along with a statement from Fair Work Commission President, Justice Adam Hatcher,...
Small Business
19/07/2024
Small Business Survey The Small Business Committee met this week, and members received a briefing on the results of the Small Business Survey ahead of...
Trade
19/07/2024
There is still time to join the next ACCI Trade Policy Committee on 1 August, at 2:00 pm AEST, featuring special guest speaker George Mina. ...
Tourism
19/07/2024
Sustainable Aviation Fuel submission Australian Chamber - Tourism made a submission to the government's consultation on low-carbon liquid fuels this week. The submission outlines the...
Employment & Skills
19/07/2024
Apprenticeship Incentives Review The 'What We Heard' summary paper from the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System was released this week. The critical...
Economics
19/07/2024
Unemployment rate slightly up Labour force statistics released this week highlight that the unemployment rate increased slightly from 4 per cent in May to 4.1 per cent...
Workplace Relations
12/07/2024
Right to Disconnect The President of the Fair Work Commission, Justice Adam Hatcher, has published a statement and the draft modern award term for the...
Trade and International Affairs
12/07/2024
ACCI Trade Committee Meeting The next ACCI Trade Policy Committee will feature special guest speaker George Mina, followed by a short Q&A session. George is...
Data, Digital and Cyber
12/07/2024
Upcoming forum meeting The Data, Digital & Cyber (DDC) Forum will hold a meeting on Wednesday 17th July from 10:30am to 12pm AEST. Please contact Ross Creelman for more information.
Small Business
12/07/2024
Upcoming committee meeting The next meeting of the Small Business Committee will be held online on Friday, 19 July from 10:30 am-11:30 AEST. The meeting...
Work, Health and Safety
12/07/2024
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke has endorsed ACCI's nomination of Jennifer Low, director of health, safety, resilience, and digital policy, to the...
Economics
12/07/2024
Productivity Commission report on economic mobility The Productivity Commission report on economic mobility released this week shows that, on average, Australia’s long-term economic growth has led...
Employment and Skills
12/07/2024
New NCVER data release: Government-funded students and courses 2023 According to the recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) release, an estimated 7.1 per cent...
Trade and International
5/07/2024
ACCI Trade Committee Meeting Join us at the next ACCI Trade Committee on Thursday, 1 August, at 2:00 pm AEST. This meeting will feature a...
Small Business
5/07/2024
Payment times reforms pass Amendments to the Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 passed Parliament this week. The amendments implement recommendations made through the Statutory Review conducted by Dr Craig...
Work, Health & Safety
5/07/2024
Engineered stone ban is now in effect The prohibition on the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs commenced on...
Energy
5/07/2024
Nature Positive Bill introduced The Nature Positive Bill was introduced to Parliament this week. This Bill establishes a new Environment Protection Agency (EPA) responsible for...
Economics
5/07/2024
Future Made in Australia The Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024 was tabled in...
Workplace Relations
5/07/2024
Changes from 1 July From 1 July (last Monday) a series of changes have taken place in the workplace relations system. Employers must be aware...