AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Employers call for action on skills crises

Thursday, 15 March 2007

The Australian government is being urged to respond to employer groups calling for a serious increase to the size and scope of the 2007-8 migration program.

Unprecedented sustained strong economic growth and the continuing resources boom have created strong demand for suitably qualified and experienced skilled workers.

The planned migration intake for 2006-2007 is between 130,000 to 140,000 with a forecasted skilled migration component of 97,500. Despite these high figures, there is a continuing demand for suitably qualified and experienced skilled workers.

The new push for increased migration is being driven by a skills crisis and warnings that the Australian government can do more to ease labour market pressures by lifting the permanent migration program from 140,000 places to at least 180,000 visa places.

The current skills shortage has created excellent opportunities for skilled workers with the unemployment rate at its lowest in 31 years. Global consulting group William H. Mercer annually ranks 144 cities using their cost of living index.

The 2006 index indicates that Australian cities are still among the cheapest, yet with the highest quality of living.

The appeal of Australia is evident in the large number of people who migrate under the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Migration Program every year.

Migrationexpert.com will provide a further update to ensure you are aware of how this change may affect you.