Capricorn has taken an important new step in its advocacy efforts, lodging a submission to the Federal Parliament as part of the Inquiry into the Value of Skilled Migration to Australia. This milestone underpins Capricorn’s commitment to addressing one of the most urgent challenges facing the automotive industry today: the nation-wide skills shortage.
The submission was provided to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration in January. It highlights the critical importance of skilled migration in sustaining small and micro automotive businesses across Australia, especially in regional communities where a single workshop can be vital to local mobility, safety, and economic continuity.
Key Recommendations Presented to Government
In the submission, Capricorn outlines several practical reforms that would help ensure skilled migration delivers meaningful and measurable outcomes for small business and regional communities. These include:
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Fast tracking employer sponsored visas with 30–45day service level agreements for skilled shortage occupations.
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Locking automotive trades into the Core Skills Occupation List to provide certainty and support long term workforce planning.
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Aligning wage thresholds to reflect the realities of small and regional employers.
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Raising practical skills assessment standards so technicians are verified and arrive workshop ready as well as able to contribute immediately.
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Launching a national, industry led communications campaign to strengthen public understanding of the benefits of employer sponsored migration.
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- These recommendations build on Capricorn’s extensive industry research and deep engagement with Members through the State of the Nation program and daily Area Manager feedback.
