The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans said yesterday the temporary skilled migration (subclass 457 visa) program has been a success during 2007-08.
New data shows an increase of 27% from last year in the numbers of 457 visas granted to foreign workers. This in turn means a greater number of positions in the Australian workforce are being filled by overseas workers migrating to Australia.
In fact 110,570 visas were granted last year to temporary visas and their dependents, compared to 87,310 in 2006-07.
New South Wales is the biggest user of the scheme, while Western Australia increased its usage by 40 per cent last year. 81 per cent of the workers on a subclass 457 visa were highly skilled professionals, such as IT professionals, nurses, and business professionals. The average nominated base salary is currently sitting on $73,100.
UK residents comprise the largest group of foreign workers on a temporary visa for Australia, making up one quarter of the 110,000. The conversion rate of temporary visas to permanent residency is also up by 30 per cent; nearly 25,000 subclass 457 visa holders became permanent residents last year.
The Government is currently using the scheme to fill nominated positions in the workforce which are highest in demand. The Minister has said it is vital to fill these positions at a time when the unemployment rate is low, in order to maintain the country’s economic momentum.
The Government also recently introduced legislative changes to the Migration Act so that the rights of lower-skilled workers can be protected from abuse from employers.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Skilled or Unskilled, you're all Welcome!
Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans has suggested the country should welcome unskilled as well as skilled workers to meet its labour shortage.
It is seen that the agriculture and aged-care sectors would benefit from having unskilled people migrate to Australia with the idea that they would then go on to educate themselves in these areas so to solve the staff shortage.
"The question of whether or not temporary and unskilled foreign labour is needed to sustain our economy has been answered. Business will have to shut down in some cases unless we can get that labour," Senator for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Evans said.
It is seen that the agriculture and aged-care sectors would benefit from having unskilled people migrate to Australia with the idea that they would then go on to educate themselves in these areas so to solve the staff shortage.
"The question of whether or not temporary and unskilled foreign labour is needed to sustain our economy has been answered. Business will have to shut down in some cases unless we can get that labour," Senator for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Evans said.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Migrant Workers Receive the Big Bucks Down Under
The Health and IT sectors received a large influx of overseas workers migrating to Australia to fill positions. Data released yesterday on the 457 temporary working visa shows that more than 58,000 457 visas were granted to people in 2007-08. This is an increase of 24% from 2006-07.
Average base salaries paid to overseas workers, who arrived last year, increased 2% from last year to $73,100. This is well above the Australian average of $55,000.
Employers are required to pay s457 workers more than a legislated minimum of around $43,000 – set to increase to 3.8% in August – but the data suggests very few workers rely on the minimum.
The highest paid foreign workers are in the mining sector, with an average wage of $125,000, while those in hospitality are the lowest paid on $49,000 per year.
Computing professionals, registered nurses, and business and information professionals were the top three occupations for temporary overseas workers. Despite the intense demand for workers in the resources sector, staff such as welders, civil engineers and motor mechanics ranked further down the list.
Just over 8% of s457 visa holders hired in 2007-08 were employed in occupations classified as professional and highly skilled.
Britain was the single biggest source of temporary overseas staff for Australian employers, making up 22% of the total, followed by India on 14%, the Philippines on 9%, South Africa 6%, China 6% and the USA on 6%.
Employers of s457 workers are likely to face significant new reporting obligations and big penalties for breaching immigration rules and legislation to be introduced by Evans in September.
Source: Mike Preston; Smart Company. 23 July 2008
Average base salaries paid to overseas workers, who arrived last year, increased 2% from last year to $73,100. This is well above the Australian average of $55,000.
Employers are required to pay s457 workers more than a legislated minimum of around $43,000 – set to increase to 3.8% in August – but the data suggests very few workers rely on the minimum.
The highest paid foreign workers are in the mining sector, with an average wage of $125,000, while those in hospitality are the lowest paid on $49,000 per year.
Computing professionals, registered nurses, and business and information professionals were the top three occupations for temporary overseas workers. Despite the intense demand for workers in the resources sector, staff such as welders, civil engineers and motor mechanics ranked further down the list.
Just over 8% of s457 visa holders hired in 2007-08 were employed in occupations classified as professional and highly skilled.
Britain was the single biggest source of temporary overseas staff for Australian employers, making up 22% of the total, followed by India on 14%, the Philippines on 9%, South Africa 6%, China 6% and the USA on 6%.
Employers of s457 workers are likely to face significant new reporting obligations and big penalties for breaching immigration rules and legislation to be introduced by Evans in September.
Source: Mike Preston; Smart Company. 23 July 2008
Slash Immigration to Help Climate Change?
A study by the Monash University, Melbourne Australia, believes that Australian migration levels need to be slashed in order for the country to stand a chance in tackling climate change.
The study states that high population growth will act as a major diver of greenhouse emissions, which would in turn counter the current Australian Government, plans to reduce carbon output.
With the Australian Government recently announcing a 37,500 increase in places for migrant (for 2008-09) combined with current fertility rates, the population will increase by 10 million by 2050, taking the total population to 31.6 million.
Monash researchers Bob Birrell and Ernest Healy used computer modeling to predict the effect of population and economic growth on greenhouse emissions.
If no carbon trading scheme is introduced, Australian emissions will reach 797 million tones - or four times Labor's target - by 2050, the researchers found.
Emissions would only fall to 502 million tones if the nation managed to cut carbon intensity levels by one per cent a year under a tough cap and trade scheme.
"The problem with radical decarburization proposals is the limited political feasibility of these measures,'' the authors said.
The authors of the study stated that net migration would contribute to most of the 50 per cent increase in Australia's population over the next 40 years.
"Clearly, it's not possible to achieve the Government's target of 60 per cent reduction in emissions at the same time we add an extra 10 million people living at twice the current income level.''
The authors called for immigration to be slashed, and the population stabilized at about 22 million by 2050.
Prof Garnaut has predicted the population will reach 47 million by 2100.
Source: Herald Sun; July 23, 2008
The study states that high population growth will act as a major diver of greenhouse emissions, which would in turn counter the current Australian Government, plans to reduce carbon output.
With the Australian Government recently announcing a 37,500 increase in places for migrant (for 2008-09) combined with current fertility rates, the population will increase by 10 million by 2050, taking the total population to 31.6 million.
Monash researchers Bob Birrell and Ernest Healy used computer modeling to predict the effect of population and economic growth on greenhouse emissions.
If no carbon trading scheme is introduced, Australian emissions will reach 797 million tones - or four times Labor's target - by 2050, the researchers found.
Emissions would only fall to 502 million tones if the nation managed to cut carbon intensity levels by one per cent a year under a tough cap and trade scheme.
"The problem with radical decarburization proposals is the limited political feasibility of these measures,'' the authors said.
The authors of the study stated that net migration would contribute to most of the 50 per cent increase in Australia's population over the next 40 years.
"Clearly, it's not possible to achieve the Government's target of 60 per cent reduction in emissions at the same time we add an extra 10 million people living at twice the current income level.''
The authors called for immigration to be slashed, and the population stabilized at about 22 million by 2050.
Prof Garnaut has predicted the population will reach 47 million by 2100.
Source: Herald Sun; July 23, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Britian is out - Australia is in
A recent study by uSwitch.com, has placed the UK second last in Europe for quality of life, which is made even more interesting by the fact the Uk is also placed at 1st for the highest wage earners.
Reasons for such a result are being pushed towards the fact that the UK is experiencing much higher fuel and essential goods prices than other European countries. Whilst also investing less into the country’s health and education areas.
Quality of life is also downgraded due to the studies results displaying the UK residents are taking far less holidays, up to a week less than their European counterparts.
On average UK residents earn 10,000 pounds more than other Europeans however, paying up to 18% more for diesel, 6% more for unleaded petrol, 46% more for gas and 5% more for electricity compared to other Europeans.
Hundreds of thousands of UK residents and UK visa holders have realized the worsening crisis in Britain and have decided to act with their call to action being to migrate elsewhere. In fact migration rates in the past years have reached record heights.
The Australian Government's research shows record numbers of Australians are leaving the UK, and Britons are following closely in tow. While Spain and France may be closer to family and friends in the UK, Australia is offering UK migrants competitive salaries in skilled positions, a safer economic environment during the global credit crunch, a lower cost of living, and even a tropical climate.
With such migration and British opinions going around the Australia Government has seen an opportunity to help source solutions to the country’s own troubles with labour shortages. The Australian Government is currently heavily campaigning for more skilled workers from the UK to apply for an Australia visa so that increasing demands for development can be met, particularly in the construction and mining industries.
Reasons for such a result are being pushed towards the fact that the UK is experiencing much higher fuel and essential goods prices than other European countries. Whilst also investing less into the country’s health and education areas.
Quality of life is also downgraded due to the studies results displaying the UK residents are taking far less holidays, up to a week less than their European counterparts.
On average UK residents earn 10,000 pounds more than other Europeans however, paying up to 18% more for diesel, 6% more for unleaded petrol, 46% more for gas and 5% more for electricity compared to other Europeans.
Hundreds of thousands of UK residents and UK visa holders have realized the worsening crisis in Britain and have decided to act with their call to action being to migrate elsewhere. In fact migration rates in the past years have reached record heights.
The Australian Government's research shows record numbers of Australians are leaving the UK, and Britons are following closely in tow. While Spain and France may be closer to family and friends in the UK, Australia is offering UK migrants competitive salaries in skilled positions, a safer economic environment during the global credit crunch, a lower cost of living, and even a tropical climate.
With such migration and British opinions going around the Australia Government has seen an opportunity to help source solutions to the country’s own troubles with labour shortages. The Australian Government is currently heavily campaigning for more skilled workers from the UK to apply for an Australia visa so that increasing demands for development can be met, particularly in the construction and mining industries.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Stumble It!