Posted on 04/14/2005 5:43:36 PM PDT by blam
Australia to let in extra 20,000 immigrants
By Nick Squires in Sydney
(Filed: 15/04/2005)
Australia will accept an extra 20,000 skilled immigrants next year, it announced yesterday, which is good news for Britons planning to make a new life there.
Changes to the highly popular working holiday visa scheme will also make it easier for backpackers to double their stay to two years.
The moves are part of a campaign to tackle a chronic shortage of skilled workers such as plumbers, lorry drivers, doctors and hairdressers. Mechanics, boilermakers, pharmacists, accountants and pastry chefs are also needed.
John Howard, the prime minister, has said that the problem is one of the country's greatest challenges.
Australia has its lowest unemployment rate for 28 years, with many companies finding it all but impossible to recruit suitable employees.
The number of places for skilled migrants will therefore rise from 78,000 this year to 97,500. Although Australia does not set nationality quotas, it is likely that many will come from Britain. Last year around 20 per cent of immigrants were British.
Canberra has been heavily criticised for its strict immigration policy, which includes detaining illegal immigrants indefinitely in remote camps.
But fears that economic growth is being stifled have forced an easing of the rules.
Backpackers who spend at least three months doing seasonal harvest work will now be able to extend their stay by another year, after farmers complained about produce rotting in their orchards because of a lack of casual labour.
Eighteen countries are eligible for such working holiday visas, but of the 93,000 working backpackers last year, 35,000 were from Britain.
Too bad mexicans can't swim that far.
Is this a guest worker program ?
Probally are already there, or pretending to be mexican.
ping
Sounds like a real emergency. Round up some French...
They've been VERY generous towards Zimbabweans who have useable farming skills especially managing large hectare farms. My good friend there is probably going to moving soon. Her husband got turned down here but Australia let him right in.
Send ours. Maybe Michael Moore will follow.
Very interesting... fruit picking.
,,, the underbelly of the planet has a lot to offer.
Good news.
Oh yes for her sake! Mine too... I worry about her too much.
I wonder how they feel about microprocessor designers?
LOL.
...or, an old chip-maker with 30 years experience.
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