This report seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the main facets of the migration system and to make recommendations in-line with the evidence gathered over the course of the inquiry that complement the Government’s reform agenda. It makes 73 recommendations, covering much of the operations and functions of the migration system and the wider...

In gathering evidence for this final report, the Committee considered skilled migration in the context of the other levers available to government. It became apparent that greater coordination of effort across the Commonwealth and across jurisdictions is needed to identify labour shortages and formulate the appropriate policy response to those shortages.

COVID-19 has had a significant effect on Australia’s workforce. This interim report makes recommendations specifically to deal with the economic effects of the pandemic.

The focus of the terms of reference for this inquiry was, in part, on the economic impact of the disruption of access to Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Joint Committee on Migration has decided to produce this interim report for the inquiry into the Working Holiday Maker Program because of the urgent need to address the substantial labour shortages Australia’s agricultural and horticultural industry is facing for the upcoming harvest season.