SYDNEY, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Immigration to Australia has not impacted on local jobs or the earnings of workers, according to new modeling by the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) on Monday.
The Effects of Temporary Migration Report concluded that because Australia is a mid-sized economy far away from global markets, the importance of the free movement of goods, services, investment and skills "cannot be understated."
"CEDA's report has found that migration to Australia in recent decades has been positive for the labor market, and the outcomes from temporary skilled migration were particularly positive," CEDA Chief Executive Melinda Cilento said.
"(Our) analysis shows that temporary skilled migration is critical in delivering benefits to business, the economy more broadly and to the existing workforce."
Taking aim at speculative and misleading reports in Australia that have claimed migrant workers are hindering wage growth for Australians, Cilento said "concerns about the impacts of temporary skilled migration have been raised consistently, resulting in frequent changes to (visa) schemes, including most recently the abolition of the 457 visa class," she said.
"Our research has found that key concerns around temporary skilled migration, such as impacts on local workers as a result of visas such as the 482 and its predecessor the 457, are unfounded."
"The average base salary for a skilled temporary visa holder is quite high at 95,000 Australian dollars (66,000 U.S. dollars) meaning these workers are unlikely to undercut local employment terms and conditions."
With around two million people in Australia on temporary visas which include students, working holidaymakers, skilled workers and New Zealand citizen, the report warns that unpredictable changes to this visa programs are likely to undermine the ability of businesses to undertake sufficient workforce planning.
"At a time when more businesses are finding it difficult to source the skills they need, strengthening and providing greater transparency and certainty around temporary skilled migration would support business investment and productivity," Cilento said.
"Temporary migrants also contribute to the economy by paying taxes and spending in the communities in which they live, increasing demand for goods and services and supporting local economic activity and jobs."
"We need to make it easier for business to import the best global talent and expertise, and Australia's temporary skilled migration system is our gateway for global talent," she added.
