This is the Business Council of Australia’s submission to the Department of Home Affairs on Australia’s migration settings, including the level and composition of the 2022-23 permanent migration program.

With vaccination rates high and border restrictions easing, Australia should set a deliberate catch-up strategy to re-invigorate permanent skilled migration and power our economic recovery, including through an increase in the size of the Migration Program in 2022-23 and beyond.

Australia’s skills-focused migration program enriches our economy and society, contributing to prosperity, diversity and dynamism. Timely access to skilled migrants is critical for businesses to overcome skill shortages and deliver high quality goods and services to Australian consumers. Skilled migration enables economic activity that would otherwise not occur, which creates job opportunities for all Australians.

You can read the full submission here.