21 April 2008

Australian immigration could solve Queensland's skills shortages

A survey by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has said that skills shortages are restraining growth in Queensland. Nearly 80 per cent of the survey's respondents said a lack of skilled workers would affect their businesses in the next 12 months, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. With the skills crisis in Queensland just another example of Australia’s buoyant economy creating a demand for skilled workers, Australian immigration is now being viewed as a potential solution.

The survey’s responders represented more than 190 business across Queensland’s manufacturing and related sectors, with a combined weight of 10,000 employees and a sales volume of $3 billion. Chris Rodwell, the director of Ai group's Queensland arm, told the newspaper the looming state budget must help to address the issues identified in the survey. However, while Andrew Fraser, the Treasurer for the state said he will consider the call for more skills, he “cannot please everyone”, meaning that employers could be more inclined to seek skilled workers through Australian immigration.

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.