The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) has warned that public confidence in skilled migration is being undermined by political opportunism and misinformation, calling for stronger leadership and proactive public communication.
The warning is contained in ECCV’s submission to the Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Migration, which is conducting an inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia.
The Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s inquiry, adopted on 29 October 2025, is examining the economic, social and cultural value of skilled migration to Australia. It is assessing how the skilled migration program addresses labour shortages, supports productivity and business needs, and is coordinated with infrastructure and service planning.
ECCV’s submission sets out how skilled migration is essential to Australia’s long-term prosperity, workforce capacity and public services, and highlights evidence from the Australian Multicultural Framework Review showing that skilled migrants contribute an estimated $198,000 per person to the fiscal position of Australian governments over their lifetime.
ECCV CEO Farah Farouque said the evidence supporting skilled migration was clear and should not be subject to political point-scoring, saying:
“The evidence is overwhelming – skilled migrants strengthen our economy, sustain critical services and contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars per person to the public purse over their lifetime. This should not be a contested fact”.
“Political leaders and public officials must be unambiguous in calling out harmful and uninformed narratives. Silence leaves space for fear-based rhetoric to take hold.”
Skilled migrants make critical contributions across healthcare, aged care, construction, education, technology and infrastructure – sectors facing persistent skills shortages driven by an ageing population and growing demand for essential services.
ECCV’s submission includes 15 recommendations aimed at strengthening the skilled migration system and sustaining public confidence.
Media Enquiries
Media & Communications Team
0431 091 738
media@eccv.org.au
