MCA calls for skilled migration changes to be suspended
The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has called on the Federal Government to suspend changes that deprioritise offshore skilled migration visa applicants, warning the move will make it harder for mining to lift productivity and fill urgent workforce gaps.
The changes, which took effect on July 25, place visa applicants already in Australia ahead of most of those applying from overseas. The MCA argues this will slow recruitment and delay access to specialists the industry cannot source locally.
“Although skilled migrants comprise just 1.24 per cent of the Australian minerals workforce, their contribution is critical,” MCA chief executive officer (CEO) Tania Constable said.
Skilled migrants help fill some of the industry’s hardest roles to staff, including mining, geotechnical and processing engineers, metallurgists, geologists, electricians, mine surveyors, diesel fitters and drillers. These roles are central to Australia’s ability to meet growing global demand for critical minerals and bulk commodities such as iron ore and coal.
Figures released by the MCA in February show skilled migrant numbers in mining have more than doubled since 2020, rising 122 per cent from 1,700 to 3,880 in 2025. Their average salary of $149,600 is the highest of any industry.
The industry provides more than 290,000 direct jobs and supports around 1.25 million jobs across the country once supply chains and related industries are counted, with up to 35,400 jobs expected to be added by 2028.
Constable said employing Australians would remain the industry’s first priority, with skilled migration adding to local hiring rather than replacing it.
“Without faster access to skilled migrants, labour shortages especially in critical and hard to fill specialised roles would put project timelines, export earnings, and the broader national economy at risk,” she said.
The council wants the Government to put the changes on hold and consult affected industries while it works on practical measures. These include matching migration intake to verified industry needs, cutting processing delays and simplifying requirements.
It also called for faster permanent residency for skills tied to national priorities, including critical minerals, the clean energy transition and net zero targets.
“Australian mining was built on migration during the Western Australian and Victorian gold rushes, and skilled migrants play crucial roles in today’s mining success by filling urgent workforce gaps and supporting long-term growth.”