Youth mental health think-tank is the 100th organisation to call for urgent reform of skills recognition

Orygen has become the 100th organisation to join a growing alliance of businesses, unions, and non-profits calling for urgent reform of the overseas skills recognition system to help address shortages, improve access to mental health care, and support workforce sustainability.

Activate Australia’s Skills today announced that Orygen and its Executive Director, Professor Patrick McGorry AO, have joined the campaign, highlighting the critical need for reform to address workforce shortages, particularly in mental health and psychiatry.

“There are severe shortages of psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health professionals across the country,” Professor McGorry said.

“These skills shortages only exacerbate the mental health crisis facing young people in Australia. Everyone misses out when qualified migrants face unnecessary barriers to getting their skills recognised and working in their fields.

“There are qualified migrants already in Australia who can also help meet the diverse needs of multicultural Australia.

“Not addressing these issues means we are entering a dangerous phase for mental health in young people and for all Australians in the broader mental health system.”

The Activate Australia’s Skills campaign has doubled from 50 alliance partners in October 2024 to 100 in just over six months, demonstrating growing consensus for reform of Australia’s outdated system for recognising overseas-acquired skills and qualifications.

The campaign, led by non-profit Settlement Services International (SSI), has the support of industry bodies, businesses, trade unions, think tanks, and community organisations.

“The fact that we have seen so many organisations join the campaign in such a short period of time demonstrates overwhelming support from every sector. If we activate Australia’s skills, everyone wins,” said Violet Roumeliotis AM, CEO of SSI.

The Activate Australia’s Skills campaign is calling on the federal government to implement key skills recognition reforms:

Set up Migrant Employment Pathway Hubs with skills recognition navigators to get qualified people working in their professions again.

Establish one national governance system for all overseas skills and qualifications recognition, including an Ombudsman with regulatory power to provide independent oversight and transparency.

Create a seamless process with greater national consistency and reduced red tape.

Provide financial support for individuals to remove cost barriers and an online portal with all the information so people know what they need to do.