Recently ASSA released report on Australia’s shortage of skilled workforce. The constant growing labor requirements can not be met by the current population at this level of immigration to Australia.

In the last 25 years, the amount of workforce from overseas grew by 60% with the expectation of continuous growth in the years to come, especially the number of young skilled workers.

In fact, the last two years the percentage of labor force growth is down by 0.7 percents, compared to the period 1980-2005.

According to the levels of labor force aid in July 2007 levels and migration still remaining high at 160,000 people per year, labor force growth is still threatened and it will reduce to 0.7% by 2021 and even less than 0.5% by beginning of 2051.

ASSA’s study is certain on the fact that in the next 20 years, the only dormant workforce sources will be increase in labor force participation and, of course, immigration. The Australian government is constantly making efforts to increase to stimulate the native population to take lager part in the overall workforce. However, this source will not be sufficient enough for Australia’s growing demand.

For quite some time now, Australia is actively encouraging immigration. The highest count of immigrants was measured last year, with the astounding 177,600 people. This is the highest annual record until this very moment.

Sustaining the growth to 1% per year means that that the immigration will have to increase with another 50,000 immigrants annually, by 2021 and reach a number 316,000 in 2051.

The Australia General Skilled Migration (GSM) program supplied around 68 percent of immigrants to Austrlia in 2006-07. GSM is a points-based system, assessing individuals based on age, past professional experience and qualifications.

According the study, GSM is highly successful, but it still needs to increase its intake. The report suggests this to be accomplished by developing a long-term skill requirements plan allowing lower-skilled migrants to fill in emerging shortages such as the hospitality and transport industries.