30 November 2007

New Australian government prioritises immigration

Australia has a new government and a new "super ministry" for education, employment and workplace relations, which is being promoted as a solution to the country's skills shortage. Industry leaders have supported the move, hoping the new ministry and strategy will assist their search for skilled employees, including a focus on Australian immigration.

A representative of the Minerals Council, Mitch Hooke, which represents mining companies that employ up to 120,000 workers, told ABC he needs to increase staffing levels by another 70,000 over the next decade.

"The (incoming Labour) government is looking to approximate what industry is doing, what businesses are doing and that is moving to direct relationships, moving to a better understanding of what the market needs in terms of the range of skills across the professions and the trades," he commented.

He confirmed that skilled Australian immigration will continue to provide a bandaid solution to the skills crisis. Britons with skills related to the mining sector will find exciting opportunities through Australian immigration for a long time to come.

Australia needs skilled migrants: Anyone applying for an Australia skilled visa should begin by completing the Australian Visa Bureau's online Australian visa application to see if they meet the Australian visa requirements.