02 April 2008

Australian visas on offer for academics

A recruitment expert in Australia has said that an examination of the country's higher education system will be pointless unless more academics are found to teach, which could lead to a new opportunity for Australian visa hopefuls. Dr Rohan Carr's comments came as a response to Australian education minister (and current acting prime minister) Julia Gillard's announcement of a review into Australian higher education institutions and why they are not supplying Australia with sufficient numbers of skilled workers.

Dr Carr said: "In three years' time (when new funding arrangements are expected to arise from the review) we'll have lost three more years' (worth) of academics." He added that it is easy to "tip money into the sector" but what you cannot do in a short timeframe is to "retain people or attract them into the sector". The urgent need highlighted by Dr Carr for new academics to teach in Australian universities should come as a good sign for overseas academics seeking an Australian immigration opportunity.

In other news on the Australian skills crisis, Ms Gillard has also reported a massive skills shortage in the mining sector. She claims that the industry is due to be 70,000 workers short by 2015; a report that could encourage further Australian immigration.

Australia needs academics: Anyone applying for an Australian visa should begin by completing the Australian Visa Bureau's online Australian visa application to see if they meet the Australian visa requirements.