Federal Government reverses decision to remove scientific professions from migrant skilled occupations list

SCIENTISTS are celebrating after the Federal Government reversed a previous migration decision that had threatened South Australia’s science research sector.

SCIENTISTS are celebrating after the Federal Government reversed a previous migration decision that had threatened South Australia’s science research sector.

The Sunday Mail revealed in May that industry leaders were concerned a crackdown on foreign workers could jeopardise South Australia’s aspiration of becoming a global medical research capital.

Life scientists, biochemists and microbiologists were scrapped from the Federal Government’s migrant skilled occupations list after a decision to replace 457 visas.

At the time, Australian Medical Research Institutes Association president Tony Cunningham said the new list had put Australian science at a huge strategic disadvantage.

However, these roles have now been placed back on the skilled occupations list, meaning South Australia universities and SAHMRI can again recruit leading researchers from overseas.

Adelaide’s BioMed precinct on North Terrace is being used as a drawcard to position Adelaide as the destination of choice for health and medical conventions. Picture: Adelaide Convention Centre

Mr Cunningham welcomed the move this week.

“We are delighted the Government has listened to the sector and has restored core medical research occupations to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skill List (MLTSSL),” he said.

“This makes it possible for medical research institutes to remain globally competitive and recruit the world’s very best medical researchers.”

“Medical research is vital to Australia’s future prosperity and wellbeing.

“It is the discoveries that come from medical research that lead to new drugs, therapies and medical devices. If we want that to continue we have to remain world-class, and occasionally this means recruiting outstanding talent from overseas to fill niche skills gaps.

“These scientists come to Australia, train Australians, and help build up our capacity to develop new drugs, therapies and medical devices.”

Australian Medical Research Institutes Association president Tony Cunningham. Picture: Hollie Adams

An Immigration and Border Protection Department spokesman said the occupation lists for temporary and permanent skilled visas are updated regularly to ensure they continue to reflect genuine needs in the labour market.

“A six-monthly update cycle for the occupation lists was established by the Government as part its reforms to skilled migration, announced in April 2017,” he said.

“This will ensure the lists are responsive to changes in Australia’s economy and labour market.

“The next update is due to take place in January 2018.

“The updated lists are based on extensive consultation with industry, as well as advice from the Department of Employment and the Department of Education and Training.”

Today, the Sunday Mail celebrates SA’s STEM sector and its stars, including UniSA’s Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience Ina Bornkessel-SchlesewskY, in Insight ahead of National Science Week, starting on Saturday.