The Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023 provides a roadmap for the future reform of Australia’s migration system. The Strategy also establishes a formal role for Jobs and Skills Australia in defining Australia’s skill needs using evidence and advice from tripartite mechanisms.

The Strategy notes that while the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs is the decision maker on the final Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), Jobs and Skills Australia is responsible for labour market analysis and stakeholder engagement which will inform the Government’s final decisions on the CSOL that will target the temporary skilled migration system to Australia’s workforce needs.

Jobs and Skills Australia has developed a Migration Labour Market Indicator Model, that it will use alongside deep stakeholder engagement, to develop and then provide advice to the Government on the CSOL. This Model builds on the Skills Priority List, also taking into consideration how well migrants do in the labour market on arrival, reliance on sponsored skilled visa holders relative to employment size, vacancy data, domestic labour market supply and other relevant factors.

The consultation process on the CSOL includes surveys, submissions, bilateral meetings and qualitative analysis (including focus groups and in-depth interviews). Jobs and Skills Australia is inviting feedback from businesses both with and without skill shortages, and from Australian and migrant workers and job seekers up until 10 May 2024. JSA will also consult with state and territory governments, academics and researchers, unions and employee bodies, and organisations providing services to potential and recent migrants (such as skill assessing and licensing bodies).