On 18 October 2018 the Senate referred the following matter to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting day of March 2019:

The effectiveness of the current temporary skilled visa system in targeting genuine skills shortages, with particular reference to:

1. the interaction between the temporary skilled visa system and the system in place for training Australian workers, including how a skills shortage is determined;
2. the current skills assessment regime, including but not limited to, the correct application of ANZSCO codes and skills testing requirements;
3. the relationship between workers on skilled visas and other types of visas with work rights, including the rationale and impact of the 400 visa;
4. the effectiveness of the current labour market testing arrangements;
5. the adequacy of current skilled visa enforcement arrangements, with particular regard to wages and conditions and access to information about rights and protections;
6. the use and effectiveness of labour agreements; and
7. related matters

As noted above, in referring this matter to the Committee in October 2018, the Senate set a reporting date of the first sitting day of March 2019. This date was set before the release of the 2019 sitting calender. As there are no sitting days in March 2019, the Committee has resolved to report by 29 March 2019.

The deadline for submissions to the inquiry is 14 December 2018.