'Against the overwhelming evidence': Calls to overhaul draft that would rush yoga instructors but not all tradies into Australia
The federal opposition and housing industry bodies have hit out at a draft policy that would see migrant yoga and martial arts instructors rushed into Australia ahead of some skilled construction workers.
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released its draft core skills occupations list – essentially the types of workers that could be prioritised for temporary skilled visas.
According to the draft, JSA is confident that yoga and martial arts instructors, dog handlers and jewellery designers will be included on the priority list.
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Yoga instructors could be rushed into Australia ahead of some construction workers if the draft core skills occupations list is adopted. Roni Bintang/Getty Images
While some construction workers like carpenters and electricians are included on the provisional "on" list, others, such as plumbers, roof tilers and bricklayers are slated for further consideration.
That's despite Australia needing an extra 90,000 skilled tradespeople to meet the government's target of 1.2 newly built homes over the next five years.
That goal looks increasingly challenging with home approvals falling and the construction industry facing significant business pressures – which are driven in part by skilled labour shortages.
"All of the trades need to be on the definite list," Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn said.
"We can't understand why they weren't there in the first place.
"It is totally against the overwhelming evidence we have before us about our needs to house all Australians."
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Australia is aiming to build 1.2 million new homes in the next five years – a task that requires almost 100,000 extra tradies. Roni Bintang/Getty Images
The opposition, which has pledged to drastically cut migration levels if it wins office at next year's federal election, has also hit out at the list.
"We have a housing crisis in this country because we cannot get houses built quickly enough," Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said.
"And the dog handler, the martial arts specialists are not going to get this done."
JSA has made clear its draft list is "for consultation only" and is not its final advice to the government.
"It does not represent the final advice that Jobs and Skills Australia will provide to government, nor is it a decision of government," it states.
JSA's final list will be provided to the government later this year before Immigration Minister Andrew Giles decides on the official core skills occupations list.
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