1. Healthcare

Skilled Occupation
List (SOL) 2015-16
Tracking Code:
JTRTKX
Name
Individual *
Bob Paton
Organisation
Manufacturing Skills Australia
What are the industry/industries and ANZSCO occupation/s that you or your
organisation represents for the purposes of this submission?
Industry
Manufacturing
Occupation
The three dropdowns below accord with the ABS ANZSCO classification of occupations.
Selections are required at the ‘Occupation Group’ 2-digit level and at the ‘Occupation Unit (4-digit)’
level, but can also be made down to the Occupation (6-digit) level depending on the occupation/s
to which your submission relates.
Additional occupations can be selected by way of the ‘Add item’ button.
For each occupation selected, please indicate whether your advice is to Include, Exclude, or is
Neutral (other) with respect to the 2015-16 SOL. The rest of the form can be used to provide
evidence/reasons to support your recommendations. Attachments can also be added after clicking
the 'Submit' button.
Item 1
Page 1 of 19
Occupation Group *
Specialist Managers
Occupation Unit *
Production Managers
Occupation
Production Manager (Manufacturing) 133512
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Exclude
Neutral
Item 2
Occupation Group *
Specialist Managers
Occupation Unit *
Other Specialist Managers
Occupation
Environmental Manager 139912
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Item 3
Occupation Group *
Specialist Managers
Occupation Unit *
Other Specialist Managers
Occupation
Laboratory Manager 139913
Page 2 of 19
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 4
Occupation Group *
Specialist Managers
Occupation Unit *
Other Specialist Managers
Occupation
Quality Assurance Manager 139914
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 5
Occupation Group *
Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals
Occupation Unit *
Fashion, Industrial and Jewellery Designers
Occupation
Industrial Designer 232312
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 6
Page 3 of 19
Occupation Group *
Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals
Occupation Unit *
Chemical and Materials Engineers
Occupation
Materials Engineer 233112
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 7
Occupation Group *
Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals
Occupation Unit *
Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers
Occupation
All
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 8
Occupation Group *
Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals
Occupation Unit *
Other Engineering Professionals
Occupation
Biomedical Engineer 233913
Page 4 of 19
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 9
Occupation Group *
Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals
Occupation Unit *
Other Engineering Professionals
Occupation
Aeronautical Engineer 233911
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 10
Occupation Group *
Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals
Occupation Unit *
Other Engineering Professionals
Occupation
Environmental Engineer 233915
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 11
Page 5 of 19
Occupation Group *
Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals
Occupation Unit *
Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists
Occupation
Food Technologist 234212
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 12
Occupation Group *
Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians
Occupation Unit *
Science Technicians
Occupation
Science Technicians nec 311499
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 13
Occupation Group *
Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians
Occupation Unit *
Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians
Occupation
All
Page 6 of 19
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 14
Occupation Group *
Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians
Occupation Unit *
Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians
Occupation
All
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 15
Occupation Group *
Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians
Occupation Unit *
Other Building and Engineering Technicians
Occupation
Maintenance Planner 312911
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 16
Page 7 of 19
Occupation Group *
Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians
Occupation Unit *
Other Building and Engineering Technicians
Occupation
Metallurgical or Materials Technician 312912
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 17
Occupation Group *
Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Sheetmetal Trades Workers
Occupation
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 18
Occupation Group *
Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
Occupation
All
Page 8 of 19
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 19
Occupation Group *
Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers
Occupation
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 20
Occupation Group *
Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Metal Fitters and Machinists
Occupation
Fitter-Welder 323213
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 21
Page 9 of 19
Occupation Group *
Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Precision Metal Trades Workers
Occupation
Locksmith 323313
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 22
Occupation Group *
Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Precision Metal Trades Workers
Occupation
Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer 323316
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 23
Occupation Group *
Construction Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Floor Finishers
Occupation
All
Page 10 of 19
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Exclude
Neutral
Item 24
Occupation Group *
Construction Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Glaziers
Occupation
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Item 25
Occupation Group *
Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Canvas and Leather Goods Makers
Occupation
All
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 26
Page 11 of 19
Occupation Group *
Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Upholsterers
Occupation
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 27
Occupation Group *
Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Cabinetmakers
Occupation
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 28
Occupation Group *
Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers
Occupation
Page 12 of 19
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 29
Occupation Group *
Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Boat Builders and Shipwrights
Occupation
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 30
Occupation Group *
Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Generation Plant Operators
Occupation
Gas or Petroleum Operator 399212
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 31
Page 13 of 19
Occupation Group *
Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Other Miscellaneous Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation
Plastics Technician 399916
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 32
Occupation Group *
Other Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Other Miscellaneous Technicians and Trades Workers
Occupation
Technicians and Trades Workers nec 399999
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 33
Occupation Group *
Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Motor Mechanics
Occupation
Small Engine Mechanic 321214
Page 14 of 19
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 34
Occupation Group *
Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
Occupation Unit *
Metal Fitters and Machinists
Occupation
Metal Fitters and Machinists nec 323299
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Are there any occupations that you represent where there is evidence of imbalances
in the demand for and supply of skills in the medium-to-long term? *
During this year MSA has become aware of several supply side issues. The supply side issues
raised by our stakeholders have all been around the impact of changed funding arrangements at
both state and federal level. Increasingly as each state moves to a contestable funding model,
industry is reporting that it is becoming more difficult to access affordable training which meets
its needs. This is due in a large part by RTOs finding that it is not financially sustainable to
deliver training in thin markets and/or that access to funding to replace/update technology is
unavailable. This is projected by stakeholders to have a long-term impact on access to the
skilled workers required for an innovative and thriving manufacturing sector as less people will
be trained. This will lead to a shortage of appropriately skilled workers to replace an ageing
workforce. The down turn in apprenticeship numbers is also impacting supply of skilled workers
across all of MSA's industries.
Specifically, MSA has received feedback from the Furniture Industry Association of Australia
(FIAA) that they are very concerned that changes to funding arrangements will lead to a
shortage of cabinet makers, wood machinists and kitchen and inbuilt furniture installers within
Page 15 of 19
the next four to five years. The Specialised Textiles Association (STA) reports that cuts to
funding has resulted in the discontinuation of the Certificate II in Blinds and Awnings which was
being used in New South Wales to meet licensing requirements.
While Qantas' restructuring of its maintenance workforce has lead to an increase in the number
of licensed aircraft mechanics becoming available, this workforce lacks the skills required to
transition to the General Aviation sector which currently has significant skill shortages. As much
of the general aviation work is in regional areas, attracting and retaining staff with the required
skills is difficult.
The resources sector is moving from the construction phase to the operations phase leading to a
change in the skilled workers require to meet future needs. There is still a demand for
construction trades workers. MSA is seeing an increase in demand for oil and gas production
workers, maintenance engineers and trades workers such as heavy diesel mechanics, pipe
welders, fitter mechanics. However the transition from construction to production within the oil
and gas sector is not proceeding at the same rate across the country and there still remains
significant demand for engineers and engineering trades workers, especially for coded welders
with oil and gas experience.
Enterprises such as Boral are reporting that they are very concerned that within five years they
will not have sufficient skilled workers within their enterprises to meet industry demands. The
average of workers at Boral is 50 and Boral is not able to access workers either with current
skills or who have an interest in training in this industry to meet projected replacement demand.
Boral sees migration (either via permanent skilled migration programs or 457 visas) as the only
options available to them to respond to this situation.
New and emerging skill areas such as fibre composites, additive manufacturing, plastics welding,
autonomous systems, small engine mechanics with the skills to repair and maintain small
electrical engines for computerised and digitised embroidery machines are still seen as niche or
thin market areas by training providers and are not yet considered financially viable areas in
which to deliver training. There is also a shortage of people with the required skills who are able
to deliver training in these areas.
Is there evidence of imbalances in the demand for and supply of skills in the
medium-to-long term in non-metropolitan areas?
If so, can you indicate in what part of Australia and the number in the occupation in over or undersupply.
MSA is aware that there are definitely differences in skill supply and demand between regional
and metro areas. The majority of oil and gas projects are located in non-metropolitan areas. As a
result resources enterprises are required to recruit from metropolitan areas through the use of
the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforce.The increased growth in the FIFO workforce has lead to
increased work in the general aviation industry in regional areas, with a resulting demand for
licensed aircraft mechanical engineers (LAMEs) with the appropriate general aviation licences.
The transitioning of the resources industry from the construction phase to the production phase
is also creating skills imbalances in regional areas. Most processing plants are located in nonmetropolitan areas which are unable to meet the demand for gas plant operators and
maintenance technicians. Access to training in non-metropolitan areas is also constrained due to
Page 16 of 19
changes to funding, the costs associated with servicing thin markets and access to appropriate
technology and facilities.
Non-metropolitan areas are also concerned about the low numbers of people undertaking
Australian Apprenticeships, especially as the workforce ages. Regional areas are seeing the loss
of essential skills as many small family businesses close through the lack of suitably trained
people to take the business over. examples of skilled occupations being lost as cabinet makers
and wood machinists, fabricators and sheet metal workers.
The skills required in non-metropolitan areas are also different from those required in
metropolitan areas, alrgely due to the much larger population base in metropolitan areas. In nonmetropolitan areas, workers are required to have a much broader skill base to meet the needs of
the region. An example of the differences in the skills needed is clearly evidenced in the skills
required by recreational vehicle service technicians. In non-metropolitan areas, recreational
vehicle service technicians are required to be able to service all parts of a recreational vehicle/
caravan, including gas and electrical components.In metropolitan areas, this work is often
outsourced to specialist technicians. As Australia's population ages, the number of people taking
to the roads of Australia as 'grey nomads' is expected to increase and the demand for broad
skilled recreational vehicle service technicians will grow in the non-metropolitan areas.
The same situation is experienced across all skill areas and the demand for people with broadbased skills in non-metropolitan areas is expected to grow as the existing workforce retires.
Are there any occupations which require formal licensing or registration
arrangements in order to practice/perform in this occupation?
For example:
• Midwives are required to register with the nurses board in their state or territory
• Panelbeaters are required to be registered or certified with the state Motor Vehicle Repair
Industry Authority
Recreational Vehicles - electrical. plumbing, automotive in some states.
In Engineering technicians performing non-destructive testing - most are required to be certified
to the relevant ISO/AS standards
Shade sails installers - licencing required in Queensland and New South Wales
Kitchen and bathroom installers - licencing required in Queensland and New South Wales
Glass and glazing workers - licencing required in Queensland for working on construction
projects
Construction induction card (white card) needed for all cabinetmaking, glass and glazing, flooring
technology, kitchen and bathroom installations, blinds, awnings and all fabric structures
installations.
Air-conditioning installer - require refrigerant handling licencing by the Australian Refrigeration
Council (ARCtick)
Flooring installers need a construction licence in Queensland
Welding and marine craft construction require various licences
In the General Aviation sector, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) licencing requirements
changing.
Page 17 of 19
Is it expected that your employment sector will be impacted by any medium-to-long
term trends which will impact upon demand and/or supply (excluding costs
associated with training, labour hire, and international sponsorship)?
Please provide evidence (e.g. data source, policy document) which substantiates
these claims.
For example:
• New benchmarks for childcare centres mandate increased staff-to-child ratios and higher
qualification standards for childcare workers.
Government infrastructure projects in the pipeline will create increased demand for skilled
occupations under MSA's coverage. This includes laboratory technicians to ensure quality
standards are being met where roads are being built. Non-destructive testing skills will be
required for materials technicians and testers working on major infrastructure projects. Concrete,
brick and asphalt production is expected to increase with demand not only from infrastructure
projects but also from a rise in residential construction and this will lead to a shortage of
production workers, concrete batchers and technicians in a range of occupational areas.
The demand for people with engineering skills will decrease as the mining industry moves from
construction to production. This movement will also create demand in other areas where for
example, there will be an increased demand for maintenance technicians and processing plant
operators, to assist and monitor production.
Industries in transition, eg automotive, will see people coming out of the automotive supply chain
who will need to be reskilled/upskilled into emerging industries. Examples of emerging
technologies include medical technology, additive manufacturing and new material productions
such as advanced materials and composites. The medium-long term impacts on employment
from the change in government policies, such as changes to the Renewable Energy Target, the
Direct Action Climate Plan, and the Higher Education reforms are yet to be felt.
Please provide any other information you consider relevant evidence to support your
submission
For example, you may know of some independent studies about your occupation that supports
your advice to us.
Would you like to make any additional comments on the SOL?
Page 18 of 19
Please provide the name, position and contact details of a person within your
organisation who is willing to be contacted if any further information or follow-up is
required.
Name *
Bob Paton
Position *
Chief Executive Officer
Contact details *
Phone (02) 9955 5500
[email protected]
All information, including name and address details, contained in submissions will be made
available to the public on the Department of Industry website unless you indicate that you would like
all or part of your submission to remain in confidence. Automatically generated confidentiality
statements in emails do not suffice for this purpose. Respondents who would like all or part of their
submission to remain in confidence should provide this information in an email to SOL@industry.
gov.au . Legal requirements, such as those imposed by the Freedom of Information Act 1982, may
affect the confidentiality of your submission.
Page 19 of 19