10 December 2007

Latest employment index highlights need for Australian immigration

Despite the recent Australian general election and the run up to Christmas, the labour market in Australia continues to be extremely tight, according to the latest employment Index. Britons applying for an Australian visa should find job opportunities continuing into the new year.

The monthly SEEK employment index was up 5.3 per cent in November. This is the most significant monthly increase in 2007. Overall the index has jumped 14.5 per cent in the past 12 months as employers struggle to fill job vacancies.

There were 43.8 per cent more new jobs advertised last month than at the same time last year, and the report concludes that demand for labour is continuing to accelerate.

Professor Peter Sheehan of the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies commented on the results: "The boom in the demand for labour, which started in Western Australia and Queensland, has now become entrenched right across the country. This creates a significant challenge for the incoming federal government who will be reluctant to see a further string of interest rate increases introduced as a handbrake on the economy."

"The jump in new jobs advertised during November made it clear that employers were not concerned about delaying hiring activity until the outcome of the Federal election was known," commented SEEK joint chief executive Paul Bassat.

The jobs most difficult to fill were in landscape architects, senior associate solicitors, Navy staff, radiologists and sonographers and construction planners.

The index measures the ratio of new job ads to job applications.

Australia needs skilled workers: 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.