Unions NSW welcome changes to skilled migration rules

Following a major review of the migration system, the Federal Government will increase the temporary skilled migration income threshold from $53,900 to $70,000, no longer bind migrants to one employer, and offer all skilled migrants a pathway to permanent residency. 

The decision was welcomed by Unions New South Wales, however “more can still be done to lift wages and conditions,” Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey said.

“Lifting the salary floor to $70,000 is a positive step that will help drive up wages,” he noted, “but the government should go further by requiring migrant workers to be paid 30 per cent above the median annual wage for their occupation.”

This, he said, would encourage employers to only hire migrants when they have genuine workforce shortages.

Allowing migrants to change employers is an important reform that will help prevent exploitation and improve working conditions, he continued. 

“We also welcome reforms to scrap outdated and unreliable labor market testing and skilled occupation lists.” 

To further protect migrant workers, Unions NSW urged the government to provide visa protections for migrant workers who report unscrupulous employers, including by:

1. Creating a firewall between the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to ensure that complaints made to the FWO are not shared with DHA, so that migrant workers can speak out without fear of adverse migration outcomes.
2. Creating a temporary substantive visa that is available to people with outstanding claims for workplace entitlements, including underpayments, to remain lawfully in Australia.
3. Amending visa conditions that result in temporary visa holders remaining in exploitative employment situations.
4. Providing protections against visa cancellation in cases of workplace exploitation.

Access the full review here.