Regional Australia benefits from skilled IT migration: ACS

The Australian Computer Society has reported that skilled migration is helping to plug the IT workforce shortages facing regional Australia.

In a new report, the ACS said over 90% of skilled ICT migrants are finding jobs with 80% finding jobs within the IT sector.

The report meanwhile found that 27% of skilled ICT migrant respondents to the report are residing outside of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, up from 18% in 2017. But the proportion who said they would remain in a regional area for more than five years or indefinitely was only 43%.

At the same time, over half of respondents reported that their visa and work rights hindered their job search. Skilled ICT migrants also reported facing hurdles such as complex migration processes and workplace discrimination, the report asserts.

ACS Chief Growth Officer Siobhan O’Sullivan said the findings run counter to the “popular narrative that gig economy work is the inevitable outcome of Australia’s skilled migration system”, noting that when it comes to the IT workforce, “the vast majority are finding fulfilling roles” in the right fields.

“Today’s report is proof of the valuable contribution skilled migrants make to our country; helping fill the critical shortage of IT professionals in Australia, especially in a time when the tech industry is facing unprecedented demand for skilled talent,” she said. “The latest survey and November’s report illustrated the opportunity for regional employers at a time when skills shortages are deeply affecting local economies and businesses. Skilled migrants can fill a critical gap in the workforce and we’d like to help employers embrace that.”

The report found that despite the challenges, 83% of skilled ICT migrants consider migrating to Australia a good decision.

“What this research reveals is that for many migrants, regional Australia just doesn't have the opportunities for career progression that they want. That’s something we need to address at the policy level,” O’Sullivan said.

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