AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Increase in British Migration to Australia Expected

Friday, 17 August 2007

Experts in Australian migration expect that next month’s changes to the Australian Skilled Migration System could open the door for more Britons to migrate to Australia.

The upcoming changes to the Australian migration system could mean that thousands of British professionals may see their eligibility to migrate to Australia increase. British professionals may have an advantage thanks to Australia’s new emphasis on English skills for migrants, making it easier for British professionals and tradespeople to qualify.

An extra 5 points will be awarded to migrants who can pass a standard English language test - a breeze for most migrants from the UK.

Up to one third of UK citizens would like to migrate to another country, with Australia as the destination of choice. Many Britons see better opportunities for family life in Australia thanks to the country’s lower cost of living, better work-life balance, and of course, its sunny climate.

Australia’s ongoing skills shortage also means that British professionals and tradespeople are in the enviable position of being in almost constant demand all over Australia.

The UK has long been a popular source of migrants to Australia. Of the nearly 98,000 Skilled Visas granted over the last year, almost 25,000 were issued to UK citizens to start a new life in the Australian sunshine.