Temporary migration has hit close to 500,000 over the past 12 months as international students, backpackers and professionals returned to Australia following a period of lockdowns and closed borders.

The most recent intergenerational report (released in August) predicted net migration levels to be less than half of this figure in the coming years as visas expire and the post-COVID surge levels out.

Overseas migration has been pinned as the solution for talent shortages evident across industries nationwide, but is this the only answer?

While half a million people have entered the country, a small selection of such have entered via permanent or skilled visa pathways.

More than nine in ten new jobs in Australia are projected to require post-school qualifications by 2026. Are recent graduates and short-term visa holders best placed to fulfil such requirements?

Christina Holgate, former Australian Post CEO said "I think short term, some skilled migrant workers probably do need to be the solution. Because ... for the roles for our industry, you actually have to be skilled”. Ms Holgate went on to say that maximising the skills of existing populations through education could be more beneficial than migration.

Government entities are already addressing this need by delivering 180,000 fee-free TAFE and vocational education places across Australia this year, but this may not be enough to respond to the demand.

36% of Australian occupation types, or 332 of 916 have experienced shortages in 2023. Some of the most recent additions to this list include; Sales and Marketing Managers, Financial Investment Advisers, Urban and Regional Planners, Aeronautical Engineers, and Engineering Technologists.

A deeper focus on domestic up-skilling and ensuring the availability of attractive migration packages for high-skilled candidates will be extremely important for long-term skill success. In addition, targeting shortages at the root source by increasing awareness at an early education level is vital.

In the face of skill shortages, enhancing your talent approach is a necessity. Candidates will not actively be searching for new positions within the market, so a targeted strategy for passive candidates will be most beneficial.

If you’re unsure how to best engage and approach the passive talent market for your latest in-demand position, get in touch.

We will share our complimentary executive search guidelines with you, providing you with the skills and tools necessary to source and engage the stand-out talent needed to excel within the market.