457 visa program doing well to solve Australia’s labour shortage concern

August 12, 2008 by Danis Foster

The way in which the 457 visa program has benefited the Australian employers can be summarized by the fact that there has been an increase by 27 percent in the number of migrants entering the country.

In the year 2007-2008, a total of 110,570 temporary visas were granted to the overseas workers along with their family, whereas in the previous year the number was only 87,310. Not only this, there was an increase in the number of primary visa holders. During the year 2006-2007, the number of primary visa holders was 46,680 that rose to 58,050 during 2007-2008.

New South Wales was the state that granted the largest number of 457 visas. It had a total of 20,480 primary visa holders. Perth was the nearest to this number standing with a total of 11,800 primary visa holders.

The immigrants who were approved under the 457 program for the Australian Skilled Migration over he past twelve months are professional with very good skills and they are exactly what the Australian current shortage of labour require. Computing professionals, registered nurses and information professionals were the three most sought after occupations during 2007-2008.

Among the total number of 457 visa holders who entered Australia during 2007-2008, almost 25 percent were from the UK, followed by 14 percent from India, nine percent from Philippines and six percent each from South Africa, China and USA.

Under the 457 visa program, the immigrants are allowed to live and work in Australia for an initial period of up to four years. However most of the immigrants preferred to settle permanently in Australia. This is evident by the fact that more than 25,000 people among the 457 visa holders became permanent residents of Australia during 2007-2008. This was an increase by 30 percent from the previous year numbers.

Immigration minister Chris Evans expressed his happiness at the increase in the intake under Australia’s skilled migration program and added that there would be increase in the wages of the 457 visa holders.

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