TheBusinessTimes.com.au
The Times

Australia’s Population Hits 27 Million, But New Australians Still Face Key Challenges



In September 2024, Australia reached a mammoth population milestone, with 27 million people now calling the country home.

The nation’s population growth is about more than a booming birth rate. In fact, approximately 83% of the country’s population growth is thanks to net overseas migration. Each year, more people are choosing Australia as a place to settle down and explore the world of work.

Moving to Australia isn’t easy. Immigrants must adapt to a new culture, and in some cases, learn a new language. Importantly, new arrivals are often subject to a range of challenges when it comes to securing their place in the workforce.

So what can we do to improve outcomes for the newest influx of Australian employees, and how can this make a positive impact on Aussie industry at large?

Training Deficits and Visa Restrictions

The unfortunate reality is that many overseas qualifications don’t transfer to Australian industries and economies. This can mean that even highly qualified people find themselves out of work and out of opportunities when they reach our shores.

Without access to the qualifications they need, many find it difficult to secure stable, well-paying work in Australia. This impacts their ability to settle into a new life and can make it difficult to meet the minimum visa requirements needed to stay in Australia long-term.

How RTO Fast-Track Programs Can Help

Recent analysis shows that 36% of assessed occupations are displaying a national skills shortage in Australia. What does this mean? We need immigrant workers to help improve the local labour market and fill skills gaps in critical industries.

Working with a Registered Training Organisation in Australia, immigrants can explore fast-track programs that help them upskill faster and more effectively. This provides new arrivals with the confidence and skills they need to pursue employment opportunities.

A quality RTO can also provide Recognition of Prior Learning. RPL enables immigrants to make the most of existing qualifications and skillsets, speeding up their studies and getting them into the workforce sooner.

Trending

The Garage Door Repair Most Homeowners Get Backwards

A garage door opener that strains on the way up, reverses partway through closing, or stop...

Oil prices fell — why Australian businesses should not expect their costs to follow

Australian businesses received what appeared to be good news this week. Oil prices fell...

US tariffs have changed again: what Australian businesses need to know

A new 12.5 per cent tariff now applies to many Australian goods, while metals, manufactu...

Single vs King Single: Which One Do Kids Actually Outgrow Faster?

Ask most parents what outgrowing a bed actually means and the honest answer is usually abo...

The world is learning to live without Hormuz — and that changes Australia’s fuel outlook

For months, the central question hanging over international energy markets has been stra...

The end of cheap energy security: billions will be spent making oil harder to disrupt

The world has spent decades building an extraordinarily efficient global energy system. ...

Going Renewable? Australian Businesses May Be Able to Get Government Help to Pay for It

Australia's transition towards renewable energy is costing governments billions of dolla...

The Business Model Behind Australia's Holiday-Park Boom

There was a time when owning a caravan park looked like a relatively uncomplicated busin...

RBA holds at 4.35% — what the interest rate decision means for Australian business

For Australian businesses, the Reserve Bank's decision to leave the cash rate at 4.35 pe...

El Niño is a business risk: What Australian companies should be watching

El Niño is usually discussed as a weather story. Australian businesses should also regar...

The Iran war is costing Australian businesses — and the biggest bill may still be coming

For Australian businesses, the economic consequences of the Iran war extend far beyond t...

Business guide: Using AI to protect your business from scammers and bad debt

Every Australian business, from sole traders to large corporations, faces the same chall...

The Business of Ageing: The Multi-Billion Dollar Industry That Will Shape Australia's Future

Australia's aged care sector is no longer simply part of the healthcare system. It has b...

The New Economics of Retail

Retail has become one of the most competitive industries in the modern economy. A local...

Private Credit: The New Engine of Business Finance

Private credit has evolved from a specialist corner of finance into one of the world's f...

Bird Flu: Why Investors, Retailers and Consumers Watch Every Outbreak

Bird flu is a public health issue, but it is also a business story. Outbreaks can rippl...

Scam Calls Are Becoming a Business Risk

Telephone scams are no longer simply a consumer problem. Australian businesses, from so...

The Sweet Business: Why Confectionery Remains One of Australia's Most Reliable Industries

The confectionery business has survived recessions, inflation, changing consumer tastes ...