On 2 April 2026, at the National Press Club of Australia, Dr Martin Parkinson, Macquarie University Chancellor and Violet Roumeliotis AM, CEO of Settlement Services International (SSI), delivered an address highlighting a persistent issue within Australia’s migration framework: the underutilisation of skilled migrants. She highlighted that current research trends show that an alarming 44% of migrants in Australia are working below their skill level. It was suggested that this disconnect is due to the practical barriers migrants face when attempting to enter their nominated professions.
Australia boasts a competitive skilled migration program, designed and adapted to attract individuals whose qualifications and experience align with national workforce needs. As part of broader government reforms introduced in late 2023, the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) was implemented to consolidate what had previously been a fragmented system of multiple occupation lists. This reform aimed to streamline pathways, improve clarity for applicants and employers and better align Australian’s skilled migration intake with actual labour market demands.
While the development of CSOL represented a welcomed and positive step toward a more coherent system, it has not resolved one of the most significant ongoing challenges: the Skills Assessment process. As highlighted in the National Press Club address, skills assessments remain largely decentralised, with different assessing authorities applying varying criteria, evidentiary standards and processing timeframes. This disjointed framework can create uncertainty for applicants, who may be confused by the differing standards for a positive skills assessment, compared to those which must be met for the grant of a visa. Skills Assessing bodies also report significant backlogs, causing delays in visa processing where a skills assessment outcome is required prior to a decision being made. This not only impacts individual applicants but also undermines the broader objective of addressing critical skills shortages across key sectors of the Australian economy.
While further reform in this area is anticipated, it is clear that navigating the current system requires careful planning and a clear understanding of both migration and skills assessment requirements. Nevett Ford can assist you to prepare a robust skills assessment application, ensuring that documentation meets the expectations of the relevant authorities and aligns with broader visa strategies. By taking a structured and proactive approach, we can help you get your skills recognised, getting you one step closer to your goal of permanent residency in Australia.
You can watch the full address here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ontzoIhWSfQ.