The Australian government has included yoga instructors, flower growers and beauty therapists as vital workers the country needs to import, but has excluded certain key construction workers.
A revamped Basic Skills Occupations List (CSOL), published on Tuesday, outlines the key industries where a temporary migration of skilled people is required to keep the economy moving.
The list of 456 occupations, which include jewelry designers, winemakers, dieticians and picture framers, has some notable omissions.
Although many construction-related jobs have been added, such as plumbers, bricklayers and carpenters, a construction industry body has criticized the lack of key positions.
These include many machinery-operated jobs, such as drillers, bulldozers, excavators, and forklift and lift operators.
“We remain dismayed that, in the midst of a housing crisis and chronic labor shortages, key roles in the industry have been left off the list,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said.
‘You cannot build a house, schools, hospitals or roads without crane, bulldozer and excavator operators, who have not taken the step.
‘The evidence speaks for itself: all occupational groups in the construction industry remain scarce and should be on the list.
‘The Federal Government has missed an opportunity to signal to the industry and the community that they are truly committed to solving the housing crisis and addressing the labor shortage.
“Labor shortages have been one of the biggest drivers of cost increases and delays.”
More to come.