Australia’s migration system could soon undergo a major overhaul. 

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has criticised the country's migration system, describing it as “broken” and “backwards”. 

Speaking at a workforce summit in Sydney, Ms O'Neil highlighted the shift away from permanent migration towards temporary migration, which she said had been caused by negligence and a lack of planning. 

She called for a fundamental overhaul of the system and a “radical simplification”, saying it is currently too complex, expensive, and slow. 

The minister argued that bureaucratic delays mean highly skilled migrants are being deterred from coming to Australia, while other countries offer a more attractive proposition. 

She called for structural reforms to rebalance temporary and permanent migration programs, and to make Australia a more attractive destination for migrants.

Ms O'Neil said the government is considering “eight big changes” to the migration system, which would be underpinned by a “clear definition of why the migration system exists”. 

She said these changes did not necessarily mean more migrants coming to Australia, but work with state governments would be required to coordinate infrastructure and housing needs, and to deliver skills to regional areas and small businesses. 

She called for better coordination between the labour market, training system, education system, and migration system, and said the potential of international students should be tapped into. 

Ms O'Neil said the government was committed to improving the speed and ease with which it recognises migrants' skills, and to providing support to assist them in translating their skills for the Australian job market. 

The government is due to receive a review of the migration system led by former secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Martin Parkinson, in April, which will guide further consultation before any final decisions are made.