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11 December 2009
Australia adds six times more new jobs than predicted
Australian employment figures soared for a third straight month as companies added six times more jobs than economists estimated, making Australia perhaps the strongest economy in the developed world.
Some 31,200 people gained new employment in November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported, and Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens said this week the Australian economy is stronger than he previously forecast.
Some of the companies taking on new workers include: BHP Billiton Ltd who are increasing iron-ore production to satisfy China’s demand for steel; airline company Jetstar plans to hire 300 workers as it adds 700,000 new seats to existing routes with four extra Airbus 320 planes; and Australia’s largest retailer, Woolworths Ltd intends to hire another 6,000 workers.
A survey released this week by Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, showed the number advertisements for job vacancies jumped in November by the most since May 2007.
The number of full-time jobs gained 30,800 in November and part-time employment increased 300, today’s report showed. Employers have added 99,500 new jobs in the past three months.
Craig James, chief economist at CommSec, told Bloomberg that Australia was living up to its reputation as the “wonder from Down Under”.
“The economy may not yet be going gangbusters, but Australia clearly has the strongest economy in the developed world".
The Australian government is also stoking demand for workers as it spends AU$22 billion on roads, ports, schools and hospitals.
Many occupations in Australia are greatly in demand, including teachers, nurses and engineers, and the Australian Immigration system is currently under review by the government to ensure they can attract key workers to Australia.
Currently, workers with occupations on the Australian Critical Skills List may be given priority processing. This priority processing will allow a timely processing of their Australian Visa application, and the possibility to emigrate to Australia within a year.
The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Australian Visa applications with the Australian Embassy.
