Australia granted less than 500 visas during the first year of a Labor Program designed to accelerate foreign workers’ access to the aged care sector.
Some business representatives consider this “insufficient”, given the labour shortages in this sector, VisaGuide.World reports.
Citing official data, the Australian newspaper revealed that only 418 visas were granted to foreign workers in the aged care sector. Of those, 300 visas were granted to personal care assistants, 92 to aged or disabled carers and 26 visas to nursing support workers.
As further explained, 84 visas were issued to offshore workers and the remaining to those already in Australia.
Labor Shortages Can Worsen, Business Representative Warns
The chief executive of Australian Industry Group, Innes Willox, warned that labour shortages in this sector might worsen if there are no other measures.
Meanwhile, the opposition immigration spokesman, Dan Tehan, said that the government “got its priorities wrong” in managing the migration system.
The Albanese Labor government has got its priorities wrong. Labor is running a Big Australia migration program that will see one million migrants arrive over two years as Australians endure a housing crisis; meanwhile, businesses are screaming out for skilled workers.
Australia’s Health Workforce Anticipates a Shortage of Over 100,000 Nurses by 2025
The nursing profession is among the most in-demand jobs in Australia, according to Global Health Education.
Moreover, the need for nursing staff is expected to increase in the upcoming year. According to Health Workforce Australia’s projection, the country is expected to face a shortage of over 100,000 nurses by 2025.
The projected shortage will result in fewer skilled nurses to provide adequate on-the-job training.
In addition to nurses, other healthcare jobs in Australia are facing a shortage of workers. As per the source mentioned above, the most in-demand healthcare-related jobs in Australia are:
- Nurses
- Mental health jobs
- Public health jobs
- Allied health jobs
- Medical practitioner
The need for skilled healthcare workers is putting the industry under pressure, driving in-demand jobs for the profession. This has opened doors to those wishing to enter the sector as the need for qualified workers amplifies.
As further revealed, healthcare workers are in demand all over the country, especially in regional and rural areas.