OPEN BORDERS ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESS

EMPLOYERS are poised to pay higher salaries, increase paid leave, upgrade job titles and loosen job requirements as Australia’s international borders open on Monday and the war for talent heats up.

A survey by recruiters Robert Half suggests more than 70 per cent of local businesses plan to hire international employees on a permanent basis; 61 per cent will hire them on contract; and 68 per cent will hire internationals to work remotely in their own countries.

More than half of the companies are prepared to offer above normal pay and conditions to attract international people in a period of skills shortages around the globe.

But employers are likely to face an exodus of Australians as the “brain drain” resumes and young workers head offshore after two years stuck in Australia.

David Jones, senior managing director of Robert Half, said the labour market was so competitive – especially in technology – that companies would have to fine tune their attraction and retention strategies, including their relocation packages.

But he warned: “While international skilled migration will help mitigate skills shortages, we will also start to see talent leave Australia again as border restrictions ease.”