Current insights into the Western Australian labour market, challenges and opportunities

The Committee for Perth has published research about the State's heavily disrupted labour  market. The Western Australian Labour Market: Insights into Immediate Challenges by Dr Anh Tram Le is the first of three Fact base papers which form part of the Committee's 2022 Race to the Top project. 

In addition to looking at drivers for the current skills and labour shortages, the paper presents solutions and opportunities, including better utilisation of the latent labour force, an increase in part time work loads, more flexible working arrangements, workforce participation support such as childcare and a better alignment between skills and occupations. Migration will play a role in addressing the current situation and it is noted that the return of migrants would be greatly assisted  by a reduction in visa processing times.