Nurses and computing professionals top list of Australian temporary skilled workers

Australian immigration figures show that the number of temporary skilled workers coming to Australia dropped significantly when the more stringent workplace laws took effect in September last year, but applications began to pick up through October and November as employers became more familiar with the rules.

Currently, more than a third of the country's temporary skilled migrants work in NSW.

The Australian Government changed the workplace rules for the 457 Australian Visa, requiring employers to pay equal wages and lift the quality of working conditions for foreign workers. The Government says this was required to improve the salary of all employees, and make sure jobs were not being given at below market value to overseas nationals. 

The Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, said a report released yesterday on temporary workers provided evidence the changes were having the intended effect as the Australian   average salary jumped to AU$85,300, from $74,700 in the same period a year earlier.

Nurses, general practitioners, trainee doctors and computing professionals topped the list, Senator Evans said.

The 457 Australian Visa is one part of the Australian Skilled Migration program, which focuses on attracting skilled workers to emigrate to the country.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Australian Visa applications with the Australian High Commission.