skilled occupation list (sol) 2015-16 · skilled occupation list (sol) 2015-16. tracking code:...

of 6

Skilled Occupation List (SOL) 2015-16

Tracking Code: XW34H5

Name

David CollierIndividual *

Australian Institute of RadiographyOrganisation

What are the industry/industries and ANZSCO occupation/s that you or your organisation represents for the purposes of this submission?

ProfessionalIndustry

Occupation

The three dropdowns below accord with the ABS ANZSCO classification of occupations. Selections are required at the ‘Occupation Group’ 2-digit level and at the ‘Occupation Unit (4-digit)’ level, but can also be made down to the Occupation (6-digit) level depending on the occupation/s to which your submission relates.

Additional occupations can be selected by way of the ‘Add item’ button.

For each occupation selected, please indicate whether your advice is to Include, Exclude, or is Neutral (other) with respect to the 2015-16 SOL. The rest of the form can be used to provide evidence/reasons to support your recommendations. Attachments can also be added after clicking the 'Submit' button.

Item 1

of 6

Health ProfessionalsOccupation Group *

Medical Imaging ProfessionalsOccupation Unit *

Medical Diagnostic Radiographer 251211Occupation

Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *

Include Exclude Neutral

Item 2



Medical Radiation Therapist 251212Occupation



Item 3



Sonographer 251214Occupation

of 6



Are there any occupations that you represent where there is evidence of imbalances in the demand for and supply of skills in the medium-to-long term? *

The AIR has been authorised by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection to assess and issue skills assessments for the following occupations: • ANZSCO Code 251211 Medical Diagnostic Radiographer • ANZSCO Code 251212 Radiation Therapist • ANZSCO Code 251214 Sonographer The current market situation is that there are an overwhelming numbers of local graduates with no jobs immediately available post graduation. This is seen to be more predominant in the field of Medical Imaging. This has resulted from university enrolments that are in excess of available clinical placements and thus contributing to a large strain resource wise on the clinical centres. There are also more market forces appearing on the horizon with a new course opening up with enrolment numbers between 80 – 100 students. The numbers have been fluid in the area of radiation therapy, where there are not many candidates from overseas having these specific skills assessed. This potentially could be as a result of the smaller numbers of graduates exiting university programs, and home countries with shortages in this specific field.

Is there evidence of imbalances in the demand for and supply of skills in the medium-to-long term in non-metropolitan areas?

If so, can you indicate in what part of Australia and the number in the occupation in over or under-supply.

Skilled migration is enabling areas of shortage to be resolved. In the field of ultrasound, it has provided sonographers to service a need, often in rural locations. Sonographers are in great demand in the rural environment across all states and territories.

of 6

Are there any occupations which require formal licensing or registration arrangements in order to practice/perform in this occupation?

For example: • Midwives are required to register with the nurses board in their state or territory • Panelbeaters are required to be registered or certified with the state Motor Vehicle Repair

Industry Authority

Medical Radiation Practitioners specifically Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professionals are required to be registered to practice with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia. This is under the auspices of The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Sonography practitioners are accredited with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR)for the purposes of Medicare.

Is it expected that your employment sector will be impacted by any medium-to-long term trends which will impact upon demand and/or supply (excluding costs associated with training, labour hire, and international sponsorship)? Please provide evidence (e.g. data source, policy document) which substantiates these claims.

For example: • New benchmarks for childcare centres mandate increased staff-to-child ratios and higher

qualification standards for childcare workers.

The universities providing programs in Medical imaging and Radiation Therapy need to be cognizant of the immediate harm being created by the significant increase of student numbers into the Medical Radiation Science field. These students may not all obtain their required supervised practice positions at the conclusion of their academic qualifications and therefore not be able to become qualified practitioners that then contribute to the wider community. These graduates that are unable to find positions will then return to the workforce in a capacity which does not utilize the skills that they have spent the last 3-4 years studying and this would become a significant problem in the long term. This is seen to be more predominant in the field of Medical Imaging. This has resulted from university enrolments that are in excess of available clinical placements and thus contributing to a large strain resource wise on the clinical centres. There are also more market forces appearing on the horizon with a new course opening up with enrolment numbers between 80 – 100 students. Although sonographers can undertake academic qualifications; it is incumbent upon them to find training positions in order to satisfactorily complete their qualification. These training positions

of 6

are not necessarily always available for trainee sonographers, as it is dependent upon the employing requirements of the health service. This can be a barrier to supply. The policy document from the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry, details that students / trainees sonographers must successfully complete their ASAR accredited courses, in an appropriate and timely manner http://www.asar.com.au/archives/1726

Please provide any other information you consider relevant evidence to support your submission

For example, you may know of some independent studies about your occupation that supports your advice to us.

NIL

Would you like to make any additional comments on the SOL?

The current proposed SOL document has combined medical imaging professionals as one grouping. The four different occupations listed in this document undertake very different and specialised procedures within their clinical practice. From the perspective of the Australian Institute of Radiography, for the three listed professions that we assess: • ANZSCO Code 251211 Medical Diagnostic Radiographer • ANZSCO Code 251212 Radiation Therapist • ANZSCO Code 251214 Sonographer the specialised occupations criteria and labour market data should be reflective of the individual professions, as this data will have high impact on employment levels/vacancies. Combining this data does not give accurate information relating to occupation specificity. We would make recommendation that this statistical data is broken down further and reported from an occupation specific perspective.

of 6

Please provide the name, position and contact details of a person within your organisation who is willing to be contacted if any further information or follow-up is required.

David CollierName *

Chief ExecutivePosition *

[email protected] details *

All information, including name and address details, contained in submissions will be made available to the public on the Department of Industry website unless you indicate that you would like all or part of your submission to remain in confidence. Automatically generated confidentiality statements in emails do not suffice for this purpose. Respondents who would like all or part of their submission to remain in confidence should provide this information in an email to [email protected] . Legal requirements, such as those imposed by the Freedom of Information Act 1982, may affect the confidentiality of your submission.

skilled occupation list (sol) 2015-16 · skilled occupation list (sol) 2015-16. tracking code:...

Documents