New Delhi, August 24, 2023 — The Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship, Government of India, in collaboration with the Australian
Government, successfully hosted a roundtable on "Enhancing Health Workforce
Training and Skill Pathways" on August 21, 2023, in New Delhi. The
distinguished event saw the participation of Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for
Health and Aged Care, Government of Australia, alongside Shri Atul Kumar
Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE),
Government of India.
Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE welcomed the Honorable Minister
Butler and his team for this Roundtable Discussion. He shared the current
developments within the skill ecosystem where the National Education Policy of
2021 created a National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to provide
harmonization between education and skills and ensure horizontal and vertical
mobility of students. Further, he highlighted the situation of global shortage in
Healthcare sector for qualified professionals and how India is ready is to
address this issue with skilling in India along with Hon PM Shri Narendra Modi’s
recent approval of setting up of 157 new nursing colleges in India. With
increased focus to meet the demand for skilled workforce globally, Secretary
MSDE highlighted that the assessment cost is one of the key areas which needs
to be addressed by Australia and fast-track the process of citizenship for these
Health Sector workers in Australia. For an enhanced and better cooperation, he
emphasized for developing a scholarship program for training and learning of
Indian workforce in Australia.
Secretary, MSDE, emphasized the significance of nurturing this crucial
partnership through enhanced collaboration in skill development. This
collaboration would entail content sharing, removal of barriers hindering
international mobility, and streamlining the associated time and cost for skilled
Indian professionals.
Honorable Minister Butler congratulated India on its highly effective G20
presidency and underscored India's pivotal role in driving global progress. He
quoted that for every 25 persons, 1 is Indian in Australia as on date and thus
Indian Diaspora has become quite an integral part for Australian economy. He
mentioned that with recent visits of PMs of both the nations to each country
and other ministerial visits, the bilateral relationships between both the
countries have attained new heights. He highlighted the situation of prevailing
shortage of healthcare professionals in Australia and confirmed his commitment
to overcome the barriers to ensure for a better and increased mobility of Indian
Healthcare professionals to Australia. He congratulated the Secretary, MSDE,
for producing good, qualified professionals in Health Sector, but also shared his
concern for the situation faced by Australia after COVID-19 pandemic and thus
a necessity for preparedness in Health Sector for any upcoming situation like

COVID-19 pandemic in the upcoming future as well. Keeping this in mind, he
requested Secretary MSDE for more skilled workforce in Health Sector to meet
the Australian Health Sector demand.
The roundtable convened officials from key Indian ministries, including the
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Commerce,
Ministry of External Affairs, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC),
Health Care Sector Skill Council, as well as representatives from the Australian
High Commission. Additionally, officials from the Department of Health and
Aged Care (DHAC), the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the Department
of Education, and Austrade represented the Australian Government. The
participation of industry bodies and private sector entities like CII
(Confederation of Indian Industry), ApolloMed Skills, and Lourde Academy
further enriched the discussions.
The roundtable featured comprehensive presentations from both India, and
Australia, deliberating on the demand for healthcare and care workers in both
the countries’ potential to emerge as a preferred source of skilled talent for this
sector.
During the roundtable, comprehensive strategies were discussed aiming to
transform ideas into actionable outcomes. These strategies included a cost-
efficient testing model with expense reimbursement for international mobility, a
dual language assessment approach, streamlined regulatory procedures for skill
migration, a UK-Ireland-like approach to experience requirements, mapping of
Job Roles with Australia for harmonization of skills, customized and tailored
courses as per the need and requirement of the Australian Health Sector
market & demand, importance of recognition of qualifications of Indian
Workforce in Australia, eased out process for visa, reduced cost of assessment
by Australia and exploring market-driven incentives for recruitment agencies.
This focused discourse reflects the commitment to enhance health workforce
training and skill pathways, making the roundtable a pivotal platform for
collaborative progress.
The dynamic opportunities for Indian professionals in the Australian healthcare
sector signal a favorable juncture to elevate bilateral relations. The roundtable
infused momentum into this pursuit by fostering an environment for
constructive and transparent exchange of ideas aimed at enhancing health
workforce training and skill pathways between India and Australia. The event
capitalized on expert insights and experiences to chart a collaborative path
forward, promising mutual growth and prosperity.