Australia Ready For More Migrant Workers

 With the start of 2011, more and more Australian visa applicants are expected to flock into the country. Indeed, immigration numbers are expected to rise significantly this year. And the Australian government is now looking for ways to make the most out of this increase in migration into the country.

One of the areas where increased migration will likely be a big help in is the reconstruction effort in Queensland. It can be remembered that the northern state has been severely damaged by floods that hit the region in December of last year. Economic experts estimate that the damage would be well within AU$ 10 billion. They have also said that the recovery effort will likely take a year or so to be completed.

With that, many business groups have said that Australia will need more workers in order to help in the reconstruction efforts. In response, the government, through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, have announced that they will be revamping the 457 (temporary worker) visa to accommodate the request. Now, applicants will only need to wait for five days for their visas to be processed. The department says that the move is expected to attract more workers into the region.

But it is not only Queensland who will be blessed with the increased in temporary workers. As it is, other states are also in need of additional workers to meet their demands. This is mainly due to the signi9ficant economic growth that the whole country is generally experiencing since last year.

In particular, the Australian Capital Territory, with its growing information technology sector, is constantly on the lookout for migrant workers. On the other hand, both South and Western Australia is also looking for more workers to fill in their needs. In the case of Western Australia, it is for its expanding mining industry, while South Australia is wishing to fill in its heavy services industry demand. All of these three state are significant participants in the 457 program.

And while many businesses are still looking forward to getting workers from the western side of the world, many businesses are now also turning to the emerging Asian market for their labor needs. Both China and India have shown to have great potential in serving as an alternative pool for workers in the land down under. Other countries have also been well represented on this one.

And the Australian government is now in an effort to make the most out of this worker boom. The immigration department, in particular is now seeking ways to hasten entry for qualified workers.

Skilled Immigrants Urged To Start Their Visa Application Now

From a press release made by the formidable agency of immigration to Australia, Migration Expert, skilled immigrants are being asked to start working now or rush their application. This is prior to the changes happened to the immigration process which took effect last January 1 of this year, 2010. Migration expert is encouraging all those who are aiming of an Australian job, skilled immigrants to be specific, to begin “now” their application because on the coming days, it will be a lot harder as compared before. Everyone will have to undergo a tighter immigration, that will definitely put so much weight on the shoulders of applicants.

Right before 2009 ends, the changes on Priority Processing and Tighter Entry Requirements were introduced. The hardest hit by these changes were the Australia skilled visa applicants. This is to put more emphasis on the skills of every aspirants entering the country.

Quoting the agency, “Traditionally, we've found that most of our clients want to start the migration process at the beginning of the New Year. There are several steps in the skilled migration process and it's important that the client understands exactly what needs to be done at each stage. There have been a lot of changes to the immigration legislation and processing priorities recently. We've been busy obtaining sponsorship and selecting the most appropriate occupation for our clients while lodging skills assessments and visa applications to make sure our clients continue to qualify before the introduction of these changes."

Major changes includes the increase in the minimum requirements for English Language ability, qualifications and relevant work experience. Aspiring migrants who nominate a trade occupation will be required to meet a new minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in each of the four test components. Others who nominate a professional occupation will be required to posses an Australian Bachelor's degree or qualifications equivalent to it, and at least one year of work experience in their field during the last five years.

This revision is to ensure a better outcome of the search for employment and appropriate qualifications from those who are granted with visa under the General Skilled Migration Program.

AS of now, visas being offered for applicants are as follows:

• Applicants sponsored under the Employer Nomination and Regional Sponsored Migration Schemes;
• Applicants sponsored by a State/Territory Government and who have an occupation on the Critical Skills List;
• Applicants sponsored by an Australian family member and who have an occupation on the Critical Skills List;
• Applicants not sponsored but who have an occupation on the Critical Skills List;
• Applicants sponsored by a State/Territory Government and do not have an occupation on the Critical Skills List;
• Applicants who have an occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List; and
• Applicants sponsored by an Australian family member and do not have an occupation on the Critical Skills