Startup sector backs migration overhaul but wants more to win global talent war
Australian VCs have welcomed the Albanese government’s new migration strategy but say that it needs to be promoted amid a fierce global war for talent.
Australian VCs have welcomed the Albanese government’s migration system overhaul designed to make it easier for startups to secure highly skilled international talent, but warn it will only succeed if the message that the country is “open for business” is promoted globally.
Rampersand partner Paul Naphtali said the "policy only goes half way".
“Australia is one of the best lifestyle brands in the world and we have a thriving ecosystem,” he said. “We should be throwing the doors open and saying if you're ambitious, if you've got a dream, if you've got a work ethic, this is the place to do it from, whether you're a founder or whether you want to work for a founder. And if this visa enhances that ability, then I'm all for it. They should be promoting the shit out of it.”
The strategy, released on Monday, creates a new three-tiered system for skilled migrants headlined by a "specialist skills pathway" to attract highly skilled workers to the country.
The government aims to process visas within seven days for the specialist skills category, which will be established next year and removes the need for occupation lists for jobs with an annual salary of more than $135,000, but it excludes tradespeople, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers.
