Submission to the Migration: Pathway to Nation Building Inquiry
FECCA underscores the need for a reimagined migration system in its submission to the “Migration: Pathway to Nation Building” inquiry. FECCA advocates for a system centred on permanency, fairness, transparency, and inclusivity to strengthen Australia’s multicultural fabric. Emphasising that temporary visa pathways are currently overused and create uncertainty and exploitation, undermining nation-building objectives. The submission highlights how extended waiting periods for permanent residency and citizenship, along with prohibitively high visa costs, hinder migrants’ ability to integrate and contribute. FECCA calls for streamlined, affordable, and transparent processes that provide clear pathways to citizenship and prioritize family, partner, and carer visas alongside skilled migration.
FECCA also identifies systemic barriers such as the rigidity of skills assessments, exploitation risks linked to employer-sponsored visas, and insufficient support for newly arrived migrants. It recommends targeted reforms, including replacing employer-sponsored visas with industry-sponsored ones, expanding access to social security, and implementing a national orientation program for new migrants. By addressing these gaps, FECCA envisions a migration system that empowers migrants to thrive socially and economically while reinforcing Australia’s global appeal as a destination of choice for skilled and diverse populations. This approach aligns migration policies with broader nation-building objectives, ensuring all migrants can fully participate and belong.
