It’s time to reduce barriers so more qualified Australians who started their careers and education overseas can fill skill shortages crippling the economy. Making overseas skills and qualifications recognition faster, fairer and more affordable would enable more people to fully use their skills, unlocking immediate productivity gains. We can realise this productivity boost right now – no need to wait years for trickle-down effects from new infrastructure or large investments.

Our campaign, Activate Australia’s Skills, has laid out four practical solutions to fix the skills recognition system.

First, we need a national governance system for skills recognition, with an ombudsman to make it fair and transparent. There is currently no single body responsible for ensuring the system works as it is intended.

Second, we must bridge the gap between our migration and employment recognition systems. It makes no sense that someone deemed skilled enough to migrate here to work in a specific profession is then blocked from working in that field due to disconnected recognition and licensing systems.

Third, we need to reduce cost and information barriers. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars for migrants to have their........

© The Guardian