The chambers have proposed a three-point plan to change visa rules for more than 100,000 current international graduates already working in Australia.
Although they welcomed the government’s move to extend post-study work rights for future international student graduates by an additional two years, they argue this needs to be widened to allow more graduates to stay and work longer.
The chambers have called for this eligibility to be widened, and are collectively advocating allowing current temporary graduate visa holders, not just future graduates, to stay and work longer.
They also propose extending additional work rights to all graduates, not limited to select degrees, for at least the next financial year and extending temporary graduate work visas by an additional two years to boost the workforce where university degrees are not required.
“Making all graduates eligible, not limited to select degrees, reflects the reality that businesses are facing significant workforce shortages in all industries,” the chambers said in a statement.
“Extending eligibility for temporary graduate work stream visas would benefit industries such as tourism and hospitality, which are currently experiencing significant workforce shortages and where most qualifications are below degree level.”
Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the workforce need is in Australia now and keeping existing international graduates in Australia for longer would be an immediate boost to available labour for critical jobs in key sectors.
“These international graduates stayed in Australia through the pandemic, and we should recognise that commitment rather than excluding them,” he said.
“It’s a win-win. By encouraging international graduates to extend their stay, businesses will have more access to critical skills in an extremely tight labour market.”
