Skilled Occupation
List (SOL) 2015-16
Tracking Code:
HKK4DA
Name
Individual *
John Casey
Organisation
Facility Management Association of Australia
What are the industry/industries and ANZSCO occupation/s that you or your
organisation represents for the purposes of this submission?
Industry
Hiring and Real Estate Services
Professional
Administrative and Support Services
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.
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Item 1
Occupation Group *
Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers
Occupation Unit *
Other Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers
Occupation
Facilities Manager 149913
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
Item 2
Occupation Group *
Other Clerical and Administrative Workers
Occupation Unit *
Other Miscellaneous Clerical and Administrative Workers
Occupation
Facilities Administrator 599916
Summary advice for 2015-16 SOL *
Include
Exclude
Neutral
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? *
Drivers for High Demand
According to the Australian Construction Industry Forum, non-residential expenditure is projected
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to grow from around $34 billion in 2012-13 to $35 billion in 2013-14 and just below $40 billion by
2022-23. As facilities management is an industry that manages, maintains and operates
buildings within the built environment, the availability of an appropriately skilled works force is
needed to keep up with the development of non-residential buildings and significant multi-unit
residential development. Although the FMA do not have information which identifies the growth
of multi-unit residential development that are likely to require FM services, it is apparent that
there has been considerable growth in the number of high rise residential buildings being
developed within the metropolitan cities.
In our most recent industry census, FM purchasers (A person who procures facilities
management services for delivery, or is a decision maker on how individual facilities services are
delivered) consider that the industry’s ability to attract and retain appropriately skilled staff is a
significant weakness.
Further investment in the workplace and flexible workplace solutions is expected to significantly
change the real estate sector. A report undertaken by DTZ and consultancy Unwork, interviewed
senior figures in the banking, property and HR industry to predict potential changes to the sector.
The report predicted that the current push towards offering better workplace environments and
flexibility will drive further investment in workplaces and workplace technology. FMs have a
significant role in managing and delivering workplaces that meet the needs of occupants.
The 2012 Salary Survey also found that the industry has a poor retention rate. In the survey,
over 60% of participants identified that employees had to be replaces over the last 6 months
prior to filling the survey.
Drivers for Low Supply
In our most recent industry census survey, it was found that 76% of participants were aged 40
and above. Of those, 43% were aged 50 and above. This is of considerable concern for an
industry that has limited training and education opportunities for school leavers and career
changers.
According to our recent industry census report, only 48% of FMs obtained a Bachelor degree or
higher. In addition to this, out of all the qualifications participants obtained, only 37% of the
qualifications at a bachelor level or higher was directly relevant to their role. Majority of the
qualifications that FMs have obtained, are only partially or not relevant to their role. This may
indicate a possible lack of education and training opportunities in facilities management.
In 2012, FMA undertook a study identifying the relevant competencies required for a good
facilities management professional. Identifying close to 90 competencies within 7 themes, the
study also looked at how existing education and training opportunities addresses the
competencies identified. The findings from this study identified that existing education and
training opportunities only provided limited or partial coverage for majority of competencies
(60%).
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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 undersupply.
FMA do not currently have data which would be able to assist in identifying imbalances in the
demand and supply of skills in non-metropolitan area.
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
Only facilities management professionals that engage in technical maintenance works are
required to have licensing depending on their role and duties. However, generally FMs are not
currently required to have any licensing or registration arrangements to practice/ or perform in a
standard position.
Due to the studies that have identified the value in having highly skilled and knowledgeable FMs,
the FMA are exploring the possible inclusion of an accreditation program. For example, the
Warren Research Centre for Advanced Engineering found that building with facilities managers
that have a higher level of energy efficiency knowledge perform better than those that do not by
a potential of 1.3 NABERS stars.
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.
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For example:
• New benchmarks for childcare centres mandate increased staff-to-child ratios and higher
qualification standards for childcare workers.
As custodians of buildings, FMs can have a significant impact on the productivity, safety and
well-being of occupants and end users. Should there be a continued decrease in the availability
of skilled FMS, increasing the portfolio of buildings that FMs manage or hiring inappropriately
skilled staff is likely to have an impact on productivity, safety and well-being. Additionally,
buildings may become less efficient (energy, costs, waste, etc.)
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.
N/A
Would you like to make any additional comments on the SOL?
N/A
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.
Name *
John Casey
Position *
National Policy Coordinator
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Contact details *
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 8641 6601
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 SOL@industry.
gov.au . Legal requirements, such as those imposed by the Freedom of Information Act 1982, may
affect the confidentiality of your submission.
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