FECCA Submission on Temporary Migration
The FECCA submission to the Temporary Migration Inquiry highlights systemic challenges faced by temporary migrants in Australia, emphasising the need for equitable migration policies that promote pathways to permanency and address vulnerabilities. It criticises the current system’s focus on temporary migration, which often results in exploitation, wage theft, and “visa anxiety” due to prolonged and uncertain routes to permanent residency and citizenship. Recommendations include rebalancing the migration system to ensure fairness, providing robust protections against workplace exploitation, and improving access to culturally appropriate information and support services.
FECCA also draws attention to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on temporary migrants, who were excluded from social support measures like JobKeeper and JobSeeker, leaving many in financial distress. The submission advocates for reforms to enable social cohesion, such as fairer family reunification policies and addressing the mental health impacts of prolonged visa uncertainty. It urges the government to acknowledge temporary migrants’ contributions to Australian society and provide transparent, timely pathways to permanency to foster a sense of belonging and stability.
