The Queensland factor
Since the Australian dollar as high as LKR 126 this week, there is talk again in town about the deepening skills crisis in Australia. This is evident particularly in the mining industry, Queensland showing enthusiasm flying in unskilled workers directly to mining sites. The booming mining industry could mean foreign workers would be flown directly by jumbo jet into outback Queensland as the state scrambles to fill massive job shortages.
Several mining houses are in advanced negotiations with the Federal Government to replace the individual 457 visas with bulk temporary migration agreements to bring overseas labour into outback mines. The proposed Enterprise Migration Agreements would establish a special type of labour agreement to address skill vacancies in major resource projects with capital expenditure greater than $2 billion and a peak workforce of 1500. Outback Queensland is to get a new airport, railway line and even a new town to cater for the thousands of workers needed to open up the mineral-rich Galilee Basin. While retail and tourism sectors languish, the mining boom is putting massive demands on the state’s workforce. Coal miners are lobbying the Federal Government to allow fly-in unskilled workers from overseas as they grapple with a predicted shortage of 40,000 new employees in the resources sector by 2020.
Expected changes in July
Amidst the skills shortage in particular sectors, the Australian government is due to implement new laws in the General Skilled Migration category from July this year. This change is proposed despite the changes occurred to the program last year July. Australia is heading towards a system where the government has more control in the total intake of skilled immigrants. This means, the occupations could be capped, while setting higher standards by giving the opportunity to the highest skilled levels. Currently, the system in place allows all applications to be processed, providing with a positive or negative outcome. Nevertheless, the new system will give authorities the opportunity to select the potential migrants, by all applicants ushered into a pool upon application.
The application process includes the skills to be assessed and government nominations to be obtained prior to making an application. This however, does not mean applicants are considered despite meeting the points requirement. The Department will set the criteria for selection, and applicants who meet those criteria will be invited to forward a visa application. It is yet unclear, how the criteria are set and how the applicants are given the green light to apply. The legislations and procedures are expected to be released in April. The fundamental difference between the proposed and existing systems is, the existing system allows all applicants meeting the points threshold and meeting other criteria an opportunity for a visa. Whereas, the proposed system may never allow a chance for a visa application. It will be interesting to see how the capping of occupations will be carried out. I see capping of occupation as an essential element to control labour forces that drive the economy. The current immigration is more supply driven than demand driven, and given the acute skills shortage Australia is facing in certain industries, capping of occupation can ease the pressure to the system.
Making most of the available opportunities
Since it is yet the month of February, intending applicants do have the chance of making applications, although the limited time factor should not be discounted. Fundamentally, the skills must be assessed and an IELTS test to be taken to prove the English proficiency. These are time consuming and must be very well planned. Some applicants may require a state nomination before they qualify for a visa, and states such as Western Australia can be an excellent option, as the processing time for state nominations can be as short as a week. Should one be interested in making an application prior to July this year, it is always an idea to seek expert opinion.
The Australian migration agent’s registration authority (MARA. www.themara.com.au) provides the full registry of all registered legal professionals and consultants. Your CVs can be forwarded to contact@australianmigrationcentre.com for an obligation free expert opinion or visit us for comprehensive guidance on migration at Australian Migration Centre 5/6 Railway Avenue Nugegoda. Moreover, feel free to contact us on 0112818832 /0112818833 /0772932239/ 0772932237
-Surani Punchihewa The writer is a Migration Consultant, registered with the Migration Agent’s Registration Authority in Australia MARN 0426579. Some of the information in this article is extracted from http://www.couriermail.com.au
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