For those of you who may not be following the political debate in Australian, and with a federal election coming up on August 21st, migration is a very hot topic.

The bad news is that both of the main political parties have made it part of their political agenda to cut migration numbers because they believe that the current inflows are not sustainable over the long term.

They are now using the catch-word “sustainable population growth” when talking about the future numbers for migration intake.

However, it is clear that the business sector does not agree with the political view. They see acute labour shortages on the horizon due to an aging population and a low birth rate. They depend on skilled migration to supply their labour needs.

The truth is that the domestic working age population in Australia is shrinking and therefore businesses have no alternative but to look to skilled migration to fill the gap.

In 2009 they granted visas to about 300,000 workers to come to Australia to work. That set the high water benchmark. It will most certainly go down this year and over the next couple of years. It could go as low as 175,000.

The competition for skilled occupation entry into Australia will clearly be getting a lot more intense.

Australian Visa Experts is able to help you find out quickly whether or not you have any realistic chance of getting a business, skilled, sponsored or student visa.

Just send in your enquiry to us from our website.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

1. THE NEW SKILLED OCCUPATION LIST RELEASED

The new SOL (Skilled Occupation List) was released on Monday 17^th May. It will take effect on the 1^st July 2010. The current SOL has more than 400 occupations. The new list of occupations, which was announced by the Minister on 17 May 2010, includes 181 occupations. As expected the list has been greatly reduced and occupations such as Cook and Hairdresser have been removed. The new list is available on the Department of

Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) website at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/whats-new.html

2.     QUALIFIED MOTOR MECHANICS NEEDED!

Dear Visa Aspirants,

We have been advised by The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts of Tasmania that they, in conjunction, with a Tasmanian employer are seeking qualified Motor Mechanics. Their preference is for applicants who have had a positive skills assessment and a satisfactory IELTS (English language test) result. We can assist with this process and provide further details (i.e. job description) should you believe you have the skills, work experience and qualifications.

Please contact us for further details.

Australian Visa Experts

There is a lot of debate going on in Australia about how many migrants to take in each year, and who should be given priority for visas.

The two main political parties are arguing over the issue of how many migrants per year is sustainable in Australia.

Business is very concerned that the intake not be reduced so that they cannot find the skilled workers they need if their demand for certain skills exceeds what is available to them from the local employment market.

There is another issue to - the aging population. In 40 years the project more than 8 million Australians will be aged 65 of more. Right now only 3 million are aged 65 or more. So that is a very big increase and it raises concerns as to how aged care will be financed out of taxation if there are not enough younger people in the work force paying tax.

Most commentators agree that Australia cannot afford not to take in at least 180,000 migrants a year.

So this is good news for potential migrants IF you have the right sort of skills needed by Australia now and into the future.

There is also a much bigger emphasis now on having good English speaking skills.

The indications are that the most favored skills needed now and over next decade will be more white collar than blue collar and will favor professionals in manufacturing and administrative roles.

Demand will continue to strengthen for temporary 457 visas.

Australian Visa Experts is offering a paid service to help match qualifying skilled workers with employers to sponsor them under a 457 visa.

If you are interested in such assistance please use our special enquiry form by using FIND A SPONSOR from our Menu.

We look forward to helping you.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

Overseas students, who complete a diploma or higher qualification in Australia can apply for a Subclass 856 (Employer Nomination) visa.

Such applications get the highest priority in processing so they are a very attractive alternative to applying for General Skilled Migration.

Of crucial significance to Subclass 856 visa applications by overseas students is the policy provision that overseas students with occupations on the Migration Occupations in Demand List may be eligible for a waiver of the 3 year work experience requirement .

Interested to know more about this?

Contact Australian Visa Experts from our website home page. Australian migration agent .

You can view the new CRITICAL SKILLS LIST (CSL) put out  by DIAC at its website http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/critical-skills-list.pdf.

The changes to the CSL are that all trade occupations (ASCO Group 4) have been removed except -

* Aircraft Maintenance Engineer - Avionics

* Aircraft Maintenance Engineer - Mechanical

* Electronic Equipment Trades

* Gasfitter

* Wall and Floor Tiler

We draw to your attention that the fact that DIAC is now processing General Skilled Migration Applications which the are State/Territory/sponsored, or which have nominated occupations on the new CSL DOES NOT MEAN that other General Skilled Migration applications cannot be lodged. It is simply a method of DIAC prioritising the processing so that the Government can better address the current skills shortages in the current economic climate.

General Skilled Migration applications which are not on the processing priority list can still be lodged - BUT YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT LONGER TO GET APPROVED. This is because priority is being given to applications that are on the CSL and because of the 14% cut in the 2008-09 permanent skilled migration program intake from 133,500 to 115,000 and also because of staff cuts across the Commonwealth Public Service including in DIAC.

The length of THE WAITING PERIOD for NON-PRIORITY APPLICATIONS is something that no one can estimate with any accuracy.

Also note - SUBCLASS 485 Applications ARE NOT affected by these cuts and changes. THE CUTS ARE ONLY TO THE PERMANENT SKILLED MIGRATION PROGRAM.

For SUBCLASS 885 Applications - The decision ready scheme is available ONLY  for applications with NOMINATED OCCUPATIONS on the CSL.

The current climate is complex and it is essential to get expert assistance to ensure that your application will have maximum chance of being approved and approved without a very long waiting period.

Please direct any enquiries to us via our website.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS