457 Visas intake likely to increase

The Government has moved to ease pressure on employers struggling
with the skills shortage by adding an additional 31 000 skilled migrants to the 2008-09 Migration Program.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said today the extra places allocated to the permanent skilled migration program represented a 30 per cent increase on 2007-08.The increase is further to a special one-off allocation of 6000 extra skilled migration places announced by the Government in February 2008.

Overall, permanent skilled migration will make up 133 500 places in the Migration Program, which totals 190 300 for 2008-09. The Family stream will be increased by 6500 places to 56 500. This increase in the Family stream includes a boost of 4000 places to the parent visas. Australia’s skilled migration program is structured to target skills to meet the needs of the job market by maximising the use of employer-sponsored migration.’The Government has also committed to improve the processing of the temporary skilled migration program.

The 457 visa scheme operates as effectively as possible in contributing to the supply of skilled labour while
protecting the employment and training opportunities of Australians and the rights of overseas workers.’ Senator Evans said the use of 457 visas to employ temporary skilled migrant workers has grown rapidly in recent years.A total of 49 700 subclass 457 visas was granted in the first half of 2007-08.the temporary skilled migration program is expected to exceed 100 000 places in each of 2007-08 and 2008-09.

457 Visas and Labour Agreements

On current projections the number of temporary skilled visas granted in 2007-08, is likely to be 17 per cent higher than the previous year when 46680 such visas were granted. DIAC intend to establish an accreditation system whereby 'low risk' employers with a good track record of compliance with immigration and industrial relations laws can have 457 visa applications fast-tracked by the department.

DIAC will develop measures so that employers or employer groups that meet certain criteriawill be accredited to have their applications expedited,' Senator Chris Evans said. The Government will also promote and encourage the wider use of Labour Agreements for larger projects that are in the national interest and have significant economic benefit for Australia.

Immigration makes Australia stronger.

'Maintaining a strong immigration program is critical to Australia's future,  69 per cent of people surveyed agreed that immigration makes Australia stronger, 96 per cent feeling a strong sense of belonging and 94 per cent expressing pride in Australia. 'There is, of course, always work to be done Senator Chris Evans said.

Skilled workers help migration lead population growth

A new publication shows that record arrivals of skilled workers helped immigration become the leading element in Australian population growth last year. Immigration accounted for 56 per cent of Australia's population growth in 2006-07. Australia's migration program in 2006-07 had 148200 places. The program plans up to 158 800 places in 2007-08. The 2006-07 skills stream had 97 920 places, an increase of 0.6 per cent on the previous year, and almost two-thirds of the migration program.

A quarter of the skilled migrants that came to Australia were citizens of the
United Kingdom, while 16 per cent were Indian, 15 per cent Chinese, 4 per cent were South African and 4 per cent Malaysian. The temporary skilled migration program is playing a vital role in addressing the current skills crisis. Australia's population reached 21 million at the end of June 2007. Population growth in 2006-07 comprised 177 600 through net migration. Some 50080 people were granted family-stream visas in 2006-07.

The proportion of Australia's population born overseas rose from 23.1 per cent in 2001 to 23.9 per cent in 2006. A total of 169123 people were approved to become Australian citizens of which 136256 people where from more than 190 countries. The five countries with highest take up rate for citizenship are Greece (98.2%), Hungary and Croatia (both 96.7%,Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (96.6%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (both 96.1%) and Lebanon (96%).

Skilled Shortages

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, 'Australia is this year seeking more than 100 000 people in its skilled migration stream including accountants, engineers, health professionals and trades people,'
'There are skilled vacancies in all states and territories in more than 90 occupations.' 'Employer-sponsored migration is a high priority in a skilled migration stream which has economic benefits for everyone in Australia.'

Migrants in huge demand

"Australia's Migration Program will be the largest and most highly skilled in over a decade, The Australian Government continues to emphasise skilled migration, while maintaining a commitment to family reunion migration.

Australia wants YOU

‘There is an increasing demand for skilled workers in Western Australia thanks to the booming economy. With Australia currently experiencing a skilled labour shortage, companies are looking overseas for staff to fill the gaps, using both temporary and permanent skilled migration programs.’

The top five occupations of permanent skilled migrants to WA in the year were accountants, building and engineering professionals, registered nurses, managers and administrators and computing professionals.Family stream arrivals accounted for 21.1 per cent of overseas permanent additions with more than half of these arriving under spouse categories. There were also arrivals of fiancés, and parents.

New Settlers Continue to Increase

New settlers to Australia increased again in the six months from July to Decemeber 2005. A total of 65,804 migrants arrived to call Australia home - an increase of 8.8 percent on the corresponding previous period.

Jobless Rate Hits Record Low

Australia's national jobless rate has fallen to the lowest monthly figure on record after an unexpected surge in employment growth. During the month of May the official figures show 56,000 additionally jobs were created, 47,000 of them in New South Wales.Despite there being more people looking for work, the jobless rate has dropped from 5.1 to 4.9 per cent, seasonally adjusted. All but 200 of the net new positions around Australia have been full-time. There has never been a lower monthly figure and it matches the quarterly rate registered in November 1976.

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