Policy Material

Professional Skills Development

Submission to the Productivity Commission (pdf 125kb)
Professions Australia Submission to the Productivity Commission - Study into the Impact of Migration and Population Growth on Productivity Growth in the Australian Economy
Skills mapping discussion paper (doc 275kb)
Productivity Commission Health Workforce Study: submission July 2005 (pdf 334kb)


Reflecting our concern about the longer term economic and social impacts of ongoing professional skills shortages, Professions Australia has been working with our members to better understand the nature of these shortages (or in some instances - oversupply) and to explore possible approaches to better matching supply and demand over the longer term.

Our Education Committee has prepared a discussion paper. Skills Mapping: Assessing Australia's Longer Term Requirements for Professional Skills", which outlines some of the issues and makes recommendations on a possible way forward.

Professions Australia considers that a critical input into better matching the supply and demand for professional skills over the longer term is more comprehensive, robust and forward looking information on Australia's likely future requirements for these skills (or skills mapping).

The objective of skills mapping would be to identify professional workforce issues, challenges and opportunities facing Australia over a 5-10 year timeframe to support broader based priority setting on a national level.  In our view it is an essential input into a more cooordinated approach by all stakeholders to professional workforce planning and policy development.

Our paper has been circulated widely including to relevant Ministers and Opposition spokespeople. 

Migration policy also has an important influence on the supply of professional skills in Australia.  It is important that migration policies closely reflect labour market requirements and that policies are in place to better utilise the professional skills of existing migrants.   

Policy reforms in a number of areas (e.g. the treatment of skilled migrants through the tax system) are required to ensure Australia  remains a competitive destination for skilled migrants.

Professions Australia is continuing to pursue these issues with government through representation and submissions to various inquiries.