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Is there a case for foreign ICT workers?

Bernie Waters, Information Age

13/02/2003 17:14:15

An issue creating as much heat as light, consultation (and lobbying) from peak bodies like the ACS has seen the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) significantly reduced by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

During high-level talks between ACS president Richard Hogg and immediate past president John Ridge with politicians and bureaucrats late last year, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA), which administers the scheme, sought to put its case in the interests of balance.

Achieving the balance

Job opportunities for Australians and the need for overseas ICT workersby Bernie Waters, Asst. Secretary, Business Branch, DIMIAAustralia's temporary entry policies give employers the opportunity to recruit highly skilled overseas workers to fill key vacancies. Employers do not have a green light to bring in unskilled or low paid workers.

Recently there have been suggestions that there are not enough jobs in the Australian ICT industry to warrant the temporary entry of overseas computing professionals to work in Australia.

A recent survey by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) shows that the ICT vacancy figure is far greater than for any other occupation and exceeds the estimated number of computing professionals seeking jobs in the industry. This clearly indicates there is still a role for overseas workers in filling these jobs.

Some have suggested the flow of overseas ICT workers should be stemmed. However, to cut off this supply of highly skilled ICT workers would be counter-productive to the industry and the Australian economy generally.

The fact is that many positions in highly specialised areas such as e-security cannot be filled with our local workers. We need to continue to seek those overseas employees to help fill these niche jobs.

Another bonus with this arrangement is that while these temporary overseas workers are here they are helping to train-up local workers who can then take on the jobs which require more skills.

Despite reports there are numerous overseas ICT workers on temporary visas in Australia, current estimates show there are only about 5500, out of an ICT workforce estimated at over 200,000.

ICT is only one of many sectors where overseas employees are in demand. In the first four months of this year, the highest demand has been for management and finance professionals, with a growing demand for nurses. Some 18 per cent of the visas granted so far this year have been for ICT professionals.

While there was a peak for ICT workers leading up to Y2K, events since, including 11 September, have led to a marked fall. Following the boom in 2000, temporary business entry visa numbers for ICT workers both onshore and offshore fell in 2001-02 by 26 per cent compared to the previous year.

A further breakdown of these statistics also shows fewer new temporary business entry ICT workers are applying overseas to come and work in Australia. In the period post 11 September 2001 to the end of June 2002, there was a 48 per cent reduction of visas granted overseas (offshore).

This figure has also been accompanied by a drop in visas issued to those already in Australia working in the industry, who elect to reapply onshore.

Contrary to the view that overseas ICT workers are of a lower standard and will work for less pay than local specialists, they are managers and highly skilled workers, and many are actually paid above average Australian earnings. All temporary residents must also meet a minimum salary level. Last year temporary business entry ICT workers earned an average of $65,000 per annum.

In addition, employers are also expected to provide temporary workers with health insurance, and meet their travel costs. It stands to reason that no employer is going to pay these sorts of costs unless they are engaging top quality employees.

DIMIA also closely monitors all those who enter the country on temporary visas. The Department ensures both workers and employers abide by the strict conditions of working visas. One stipulation requires that employers provide training for their Australian workers to ensure that our country builds up its skilled ICT workforce so we have enough trained professionals to fill future vacancies.

In addition, agreements between Australia and other governments around the globe benefit the rapidly evolving industry by allowing Australian ICT professionals to work internationally. These opportunities would not be possible if we maintained protectionist barriers to the movement of skilled people.

Many Australian and overseas ICT workers are employed by major international companies and benefit from arrangements for employees on intra-company transfers. The modern global workforce is highly mobile and all employees reap the rewards from opportunities to travel and work in other countries.

DIMIA will continue to closely monitor, in conjunction with other government agencies, the needs of the Australian ICT industry. This will ensure that we maintain a sound program that balances the skills that employers need against benefits for all Australians.