Search results

Two years ago, in July 1989, the Australian Commonwealth Government announced, as part of the National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia, its Migrant Skills Reform Strategy, which was also an integral part of measures for microeconomic reform. It was recognised that the use of all the skills potentially available in the workforce, including migrant skills, is essential if Australia is to be internationally competitive into the 21st century. Lack of recognition and use of the overseas acquired skills of migrants has meant, and still means, the wastage of a valuable resource. Estimates have put the economic loss to Australia as high as $250 million a year. There are also considerable personal and community costs. The National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) was established in July 1989 to facilitate the implementation of the Migrant Skills Reform Strategy. In November of the same year the National Advisory Committee on Skills Recognition (NACSR) was established to advise on the issues and to promote public discussion and debate on them. This report summarises the significant developments in achieving changes on a national scale and across all skilled occupations since the launch of the Migrant Skills Reform Strategy, and points the way to the immediate future.