Tasmania

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Tasmania is an island and state of the same name, which includes some smaller surrounding islands, located 150 miles south of the eastern side of Australia. It is separated from Australia by Bass Strait.

To live in Australia potential migrants will first need to complete an Australian Visa assessment to confirm their eligibility.

Population

Tasmania has an estimated population of 493,300 as of June 2007, and an area of 26,410 sq miles.

The state capital and largest city is Hobart, which encompasses the local government areas of City of Hobart, City of Glenorchy and City of Clarence. Hobart is also one of Australia's oldest cities and the eleventh most populous, with a population of approximately 206,000.

Interested in emigrating to Tasmania? Take the online skilled migration assessment

Climate

The Tasmanian climate is extremely variable with high fluctuations in temperature and wind speed during the average week.

Summer lasts from December to February when the average maximum temperature at sea level is 21 °C. Winter is from June to August with an average maximum temperature at sea level of 12 °C. Inland, temperatures are much cooler.

Tasmania is also known for being one of the wetter places in Australia. Even in the driest months rain usually falls on every second day and the number of rainy days per year is much greater than on any part of the Australian mainland.

Hobart has a mild temperate oceanic climate, with four distinct seasons. Compared to other major Australia cities, Hobart has the second least daily average hours of sunshine, with 5.9 hours. The city rarely receives snow in winter; however, the adjacent Mount Wellington is often seen with a snow covering in winter, and it has received unseasonal snowfalls in all seasons, including summer.

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Economy and Primary Industries

Traditionally Tasmania's main industries have been: mining, including copper, zinc, tin, and iron; agriculture; forestry; and tourism. Today, a significant number of employed Tasmanians work for the government.

Other major employers include the Federal Group, owner of several hotels and Tasmania's two casinos, and Gunns Limited, the state's biggest forestry company.

As a city, Hobart serves an important purpose as a busy seaport, notably serving as the home port for the Antarctic activities of Australia and France. The seaport is also vital to the food export sector, with one of the primary exports from Tasmania to the mainland and beyond being seafood.

Other notable businesses in the area include the Cadbury chocolate factory and the Cascade Brewery located in South Hobart. The area surrounding Hobart is also home to many vineyards, providing both agricultural work and a source of tourism to the city.

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Tasmania Immigration Options

Skilled workers wishing to emigrate to Australia have a number of Skilled Migration visa categories to which they can apply.

Those specifically wanting to emigrate to Australia to live in Tasmania can apply for the Tasmania Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (subclass 475).

The Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475) is a sponsored work visa for skilled people wishing to live and work in a regional or low population growth area in Australia.

The Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa is a temporary visa valid for three years.

See if you are eligible to emigrate to Australia and take the online skilled migration assessment