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A positive outcome on skilled migration is essential to stop firms from “cannibalising each other”, says CA ANZ.
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Visa delays stall attempts to recruit overseas
08 August 2022
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9 minute read
Visa delays of up to six months are stalling attempts by professional services firms to recruit skilled workers from overseas and forcing some candidates to drop out altogether, CA ANZ said.
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A survey of 18 firms in July revealed 519 outstanding skilled visa candidate applications for junior to intermediate level jobs, and on average at least one drop-out due to visa delays.
Across the range of professional services and audit firms surveyed there were a total of almost 1,000 audit vacancies and 2,000 in consulting.
CA ANZ executive advocacy Simon Grant said the delays were “crippling the industry” in Australia’s challenging labour market.
“The skills shortage in Australia is dire – there is no sugar coating that,” said Mr Grant.
“There are a lot of factors that contribute to talent pathways – and the profession is maximising all of these levers with increased training and educational pathways, flexible and innovative working opportunities and cross-functional requirements.”
But Mr Grant said that skilled migration was a key factor and on average it was taking up to six months to fill positions.
“With 3.5 per cent unemployment and most roles needing specific technical skills and training, skilled migration is an essential part of the solution and also an inflation-buster by releasing supply pressures on the economy,” he said.
“Without support on skilled migration the situation is increasingly concerning and firms cannibalising each other’s talent is not a sustainable solution.
“For Australia to thrive, that includes tapping into the global talent market, but the current delays and restrictions on visa applications for our skilled migration workforce is crippling our industry and many others.”
CA ANZ wanted to work with the government to develop a longer-term solution than the current Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List, which was a temporary COVID-19 measure.
“We applaud the Albanese government’s initiative and look forward to the Jobs and Skills Summit delivering practical solutions across all sectors,” said Mr Grant.
“The sector recognises it needs to be part of the solution and there is a valuable opportunity for corporates and the government to work together and devise a sensible and practical solution that gets us out of this situation.”
The survey also reported the shortage of labour was impacting existing employees: 61 per cent said staff were overworked, 56 per cent said they had an inability to meet reporting deadlines, and 61 per cent said they were unable to service existing clients.
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