04 January 2008

'Feeding frenzy' for Australian resources means soaring demand for Australian immigration

Asia's demand for Australia's natural resources is creating a shortage of skilled workers in the mining industry that is creating huge opportunities for people with Australian visas. The director of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy in Western Australia, David Parker, has said "there's a feeding frenzy going on over Australian resources".

Recruitment agencies are conducting international searches for mining professionals or people with transferable skills who are interested in applying for an Australian visa. "There's a dramatic need to create a labour pool," Jim Stitt, the managing director of OSS International Recruitment, told Bloomberg. He confirmed that he is currently looking for 1,600 skilled workers from geologists to diesel mechanics.

Australia is the biggest exporter of iron ore, coal and alumina (bauxite) in the world and the second biggest in zinc and lead, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics. The country ranks third in gold, nickel and manganese exports, fourth in copper, and fifth in liquefied natural gas. Further, the world's biggest known uranium reserves are to be found there.

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.


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