Editorial: There are simply not enough people to do all the jobs WA's economy needs to fill

West Australian

8 hours ago

It's a staggering list — 62 professions in WA have been experiencing a skills shortage for at least the past four years.
The Jobs and Skills Australia figures reflect what businesses for some time have been saying — and what many West Australians have been experiencing: there are simply not enough people to do all the jobs our economy needs doing.
WA's underemployment rate — a measure of people who are working but would like more hours — has consistently been among the lowest of all States for several years, despite us having the strongest population growth for the past two years.
Premier Roger Cook has rightly been concerned. Having written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlining 10 key priorities for WA, he's urged his Federal counterparts to excuse WA from broad-brush national rules clamping down on international migration, particularly affecting students.
Though critics of migration like to blame it for myriad issues, the simple fact of the matter is WA has not experienced the same problems as Eastern States. International education is a $3.6 billion contributor to the State's economy, but some providers are on their knees, with enrolments plunging after visa fees surged.
The result for ordinary West Australians? Fewer people doing the jobs we need done, particularly in the hospitality sector, but fewer people studying in WA and potentially staying, adding to the State's rich culture and making valuable contributions.
Aged care is another critical sector facing worker shortages, and with an ageing population, demand is set to keep climbing.
Australia — particularly WA — does not have enough people working to service its population.
As StudyWest chief executive Derryn Belford has told The Sunday Times: 'If we didn't have international students there are whole sectors that would have no workers.'
Western Australia desperately needs the Federal Government to exempt it from blanket national rules restricting international student numbers — and more support on migration caps. It's a blatant impediment to our economy, restricting employers and in turn a handbrake on consumers.
Yes, the State is experiencing a housing shortage. But it's not been caused by international students. The State Government has pushed the construction of dedicated student housing, particularly in the CBD, and these go some way to help. And for skilled workers, many companies have shown ingenious solutions to accommodating staff — particularly in regional areas.
Construction alone expects to need up to 10,000 more workers every year. If our borders are not opened, where are they to come from? Housing Industry Association WA executive director Michael McGowan expects about three-quarters of the new workforce would need to come through apprenticeships. The rest need to be skilled migrants who can start immediately.
By carving our State out of a blunt national rule, the Government would prove it actually 'gets' WA and allow our State to keep moving forward.