Life sciences industry welcomes visa changes

The life sciences industry has welcomed the restoration of key occupations for the medical technology, biotechnology, research and pharmaceutical sector to the skilled migration visa list.

Six industry organisations — AusBiotech, BioMelbourne Network, Medicines Australia, Research Australia, MTAA and AAMRI — have issued a joint statement saying that the visa changes provide relief for the industry which relies on highly skilled individuals to support Australia’s competitive advantage in life sciences innovation.

Having participated in submissions and consultations, the combined peak body group is pleased the government has addressed concerns that were widely shared across the medical technologies, biotechnologies and pharmaceuticals industry sector and the health and medical research sector.

The revised list of occupations is an important step for which there is significant acknowledgment and relief that the attraction of highly skilled individuals will not be thwarted and demonstrates continued support for Australia’s competitive advantage in life sciences innovation, said the group.

“The revised list has provided assurance that important recruitment of outstanding talent can continue consistent with the Australian National Innovation and Science Agenda. Australia will be able to continue to thrive as a home for some of the world’s most talented scientists and medical researchers, improve its position as a centre for high-quality R&D in medical science and receive the associated spill over benefits.

“We understand the need for the government to ensure that the visa program benefits Australia and the scheme must be viewed as a tool to fill the skills gaps that exists in Australia. In this instance, the gaps are in research and industries that create highly attractive highly skilled jobs, attract clinical research, upskill the local talent pool and grow the local economy.”

Signatory organisations include representatives of the entire life sciences research and commercialisation ‘ecosystem’, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, ranging from start-ups to mature multinationals, research institutes, universities and specialist service professionals.