The resources sector has been named among the industries prioritised to fill skill shortages as the Morrison Government begins to flag the return of foreign workers by Christmas.

‘‘We know there is a significant skills shortage here in Australia and we’re doing all that we can to make sure that we put the right structures in place to support these businesses that need workers,’’ Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews told the Australian Financial Review.

“…. We need more workers for the resources sector… ‘‘ adding that healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and engineering were other sectors requiring prioritisation.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg also said the federal government wants skilled workers “to come in before the end of the year.”

It follows business groups warning a lack of workers threatens to be a ‘‘handbrake’’ on the economic recovery.

In June, AREEA warmly welcomed the inclusion of a range of skilled occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List to ensure a small number of critical occupations are filled to continue to create Australian jobs and aid in Australia’s ongoing recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

AREEA Chief Executive, Steve Knott AM, said the resources and energy industry had “been firing on all cylinders” throughout the pandemic, but closed borders has wreaked havoc on its pool of skilled labour.

“AREEA’s members across the industry have been reporting worsening skills shortages that threaten to cripple the national recovery from the pandemic’s crushing economic impacts. Significant data and evidence has been provided to government at all levels about these serious skills issues for well over a year.

Minister Andrews warned the different quarantine arrangements in respective states and territories added another layer of confusion to the push to increase skilled migration.

Skills shortages, labour supply and skilled migration are key areas of AREEA advocacy and representation, especially over the past two years as challenges become acute. Contact [email protected] to learn more and/or get involved.