24 October 2007

The 'future looks rosy' for Australian immigration

Demand for Australia's natural mineral resources shows no sign of receding and mining companies are posting record production reports and profits. The skills shortage continues to be felt and there are many opportunities for skilled workers with Australian visas.

Mining company Oxiana managing director Owen Hegarty told ABC the future looks rosy. "We're in stable domains around the planet, got a wonderful growth profile, a sensational exploration team and we expect to continue to show the strong growth that we've had over the past several years," he said.

Analyst Mark Niutta from ASANDAS investment house agreed the resources boom shows no signs of diminishing. "I don't think it's over by any stretch of the imagination - there's a long way to go.

"As long as China keep consuming and we're seeing iron ore prices look as if they're going to go quite a bit higher, probably 20 to 25 per cent next time round," he commented.

The need for skilled workers with Australian visas is still a major issue facing the industry.
Mr Niutta noted that "it's getting hard to get good people".

"If you can't get the geologists and the drivers and the trucks and the engineers, then you can't get the stuff out of the ground," he added.

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.