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Queensland

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Queensland is a large state in the north-east of Australia, with most people living along the tropical and sub-tropical east coast. The state has enjoyed an economic and population boom in recent years thanks mainly to the mining industry and tourism.

To live in Australia potential migrants will first need to complete an Australian visa assessment to get an understanding of the available migration opportunities.

Population

The population of Queensland officially reached 4 million in 2005, cementing its status as the fastest growing state in Australia, with over 1,500 people moving to the state (1,000 in the southern part of the state alone). Predictions show that Queensland will become Australia’s second most populous state by the late 2020s.

At the most recent census the population of Brisbane was roughly 1,760,000, making it the third largest city in Australia. Additionally, the census recorded Brisbane as having the largest growth rate of all capital cities, with an annual growth rate of 2.2%.

Similarly, Cairns is also expanding at a high rate, with the current population of 130,000 projected to increase to 155,872 by 2011. This growth is seeing expanding levels of investment in infrastructure to support a young, active population.

Close to Cairns is Townsville, a metropolitan area with a population of over 140,000 and which is seen as the unofficial capital of North Queensland, with many of the governmental and administrative offices based there.

Climate

Due to the size of Queensland, there is significant variation in climate across the state.

Low rainfall and hot summers are typical for the inland west, a monsoonal 'wet' season in the far north, and warm temperate conditions along the coastal strip. Inland and in southern ranges low minimum temperatures are experienced.

Brisbane has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and dry, mild winters. From late Spring through to early Autumn, thunderstorms are common over the greater Brisbane area.

Cairns also experiences a wet season, complete with tropical monsoons between December and April. However, it also has a dry season between May and November.

Unlike most of tropical Australia, it is not completely dry, with frequent showers for most of this period.

Economy and Primary Industries

As a state, Queensland’s economy has enjoyed a boom in the tourism and mining industries in recent years, with Cairns an example of a city which enjoys continued success thanks to these two sectors. With continual government efforts, a steady stream of migrants and an expanding aerospace sector, it can be assured that the state will remain one of Australia's fastest growing economies.

Brisbane's economy has a number of primary industries, both white-collar and blue-collar. White-collar industries include IT, financial services, higher education and public sector administration, which are generally concentrated in and around the CBD and inner suburbs.

The city’s blue-collar industries include petroleum refining, stevedoring, paper milling and metalworking, which tend to be located on the lower reaches of the Brisbane River and in new industrial zones on the urban fringe.

Queensland 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 Queensland can apply for the Queensland 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.