A resources executive would rather recruit experienced foreigners than keep lifting wages to lure Australian jobseekers.
Evolution Mining urged the Federal Government to reopen the nation for work visa applicants, because it would help ease labour shortages across the industry.
“I have seen the call from mining companies that labour access, overseas labour, immigration should be eased. We would be very supportive of that” chief financial officer Lawrie Conway said while announcing his employer’s latest March quarter results.
Conway claimed several competitors have resorted to increasing wages for attracting more job applications, and this is becoming unsustainable.
“In a tight labour market like we have at the moment access to skills without creating rampant inflation and just not being able to fill roles is critical to the future of the mining industry and, frankly, the economy of the country,” he said.
The 482 temporary skill shortage visa lets employers sponsor qualified and experienced workers for positions they cannot find a “suitably skilled” Australian to fill.
Applicants pay at least $1290 and wait for up to 15 months before being granted permission to stay in Australia up to two years. Hong Kong residents can remain ‘Down Under’ for five years.
A variety of mining vacancies have been added to the priority migration skilled occupation list, meaning anyone searching for those jobs could have their application fast-tracked.
The following positions have already been prioritised:
- geotechnical engineer (233212)
- mechanical engineer (233512)
- petroleum engineer (233612)
- structural engineer (233214)
- transport engineer (233215)
- electrical engineer (233311)
- mining engineer (233611)
- civil engineer (233211)
- surveyor (232212).
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