Ai Group was pleased to take this opportunity to make a submission to the inquiry: A Migration System for Australia’s Future.

Ai Group has a long history of involvement in immigration policy issues and support for the migration program. Ai Group supports Australia's permanent migration program and its focus on skilled migration. Skilled migrants generate great benefits to the Australian community as they contribute directly to our national employment and skills base. Many also bring specialist knowledge that provides even bigger indirect benefits: by deepening our entrepreneurship and innovation; and through greater international linkages.

While skilling and up-skilling our existing workforce should always be the top priority, skills and labour gaps persist across our economy that can only be addressed through the migration program.