Skilled workers are still favoured by Australian immigration.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has conceded that a steady growth in immigration would benefit the country.
Whilst she is keen to stress that she has no intention of supporting the disastrous ‘big Australia’ idea touted by ex-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, neither will she go down the route of the opposition and try to curb immigration too much.
Earlier this month we reported that many big Australian businesses were warning of serious skills shortages in Australia if the country did not develop an immigration plan that was flexible and easy to navigate. Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, Heather Ridout, said that the time that skills shortages would dampen economical growth and could even have serious consequences for the future development of business in Australia.
In fact immigration has been credited, in part, to the avoidance of a recession by Australia. Immigration produces demand – for housing and various other commodities, which in turn benefit the economy. Temporary and permanent migrants also fill skills shortages in industries such as mining, which is vital for trade relations with China.
And as Australia’s population reaches retirement age, new workers will be needed to take on the skilled roles that push Australia ever further into one of the world’s leading nations.
The admission by Australian leaders will come as a huge relief to many visa applicants who feared that the new Prime Minister would tighten an already strict immigration policy in Australia. If you want to know more about getting an Australian visa then look at our guide for living in Australia.
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