I’ve been all over the Internet, browsing through a number of articles on UK and Australian news sites regarding the fact that Australia might no longer need skilled professionals. The Age and BBC both issued articles, revealing the main concerns and motives behind the decision to cutback skilled migration visas by 15%.
Long story short – skilled individuals in construction such as bricklayers, plumbers, welders, carpenters and metal fitters are no longer required, but Australia still needs doctors, nurses, engineers and IT specialists. It is all done with the sole purpose of assuring more Australians are able to find decent employment, or any employment for that matter. Immigration MinisterChris Evans added:
“The Government will remove occupations from the list if demand for those skills can be satisfied by local labour.”
Senator Evans stated that Australia will maintaining its skilled migration program, however it has to be better targeted so that migrant workers are meeting skills shortages and not competing with locals for jobs.
Obtaining Australian Skilled Migration Visa is not an easy task and it requires a considerable amount of time to prepare. If your occupation is in the critical skills list, you might want to fill an application form. Australia is one of the countries making more effort in fighting the crisis and is most likely to overcome the financial downfall sooner.
Immigration & Living Abroad
australia, emigration, hsmp, immigration, skilled migration
If your second working holiday visa is running out, but you feel like spending some more time in Australia you might want to talk with your current employer. One way to remain Down Under is to have your employer sponsor you, thus helping you to stay in Australia for up to 4 years. Employer sponsored workers must remain with the same employer. You can not change employers, unless your potential employer is willing to become your sponsor as well.
- Eileen: Welcome to the Visa First live chat! How can I help you today?
- Jenn: Hi Eileen. I am an Irish backpacker on my second year WHV. I have just finished my 6 month stint working for a company. Is it possible to work more than 6 months with this company under my visa if the employer agrees to it? Just an extra 3 months say?
- Eileen: No Jenn, unfortunately it is a requirement of your Visa that you cannot work for one employer for more than 6 months. Your only option if you wish to stay with the employer for longer is to perhaps consider sponsorship.
- Jenn: That what i thought but a friend mentioned that if the employer agreed to the extension then it was OK. Yes I am considering sponsorship but it is hard to get job on the that the Australian Gov considered skilled!
- Eileen: What are you working at here in Australia?
- Jenn: I managed to get a job for a catering company ISS on one of BHP Mine sites in WA. I was only doing dining room, bar, cleaning of rooms but i don’t think they consider that as a skilled job, regardless if the Company can’t get the staff! I just finished my 6 months with them 2 weeks ago.
- Eileen: The skill of the job isn’t really the problem for sponsorship, if the employer is willing to sponsor you then you should be okay. Have the company offered you sponsorship?
- Jenn: I didn’t actually ask them if they would sponsor me as i thought it wasn’t a skilled job! They probably would offer me sponsorship as I was there a long time….10 months to be precise…the original company was taken over by a new employer so that was lucky for me. How much would it cost the company/me to get sponsored?
- Eileen: The cost of sponsorship is $3000. I can take your details and get one of my colleagues who specialize in sponsorship Visa to contact you.
- Eileen: Is your contact number 042******* and your email ********@gmail.com?
- Jenn: Yes, that would be great Eileen, thanks. Yes those details are correct. Email is probably best for me at the moment. Thanks.
- Eileen: Okay Jenn no problem I will get them to email you some information later today.
- Jenn: Oh, brill. Thank you so much Eileen. I really appreciate it. I have been on the Oz immigration website and talking to friends so I am getting different info all the time. It is great to get to talk/email someone who knows all the info. Thanks again and have a good day!
As you realize, your options are somewhat limited by choosing employer sponsorship as a way to remain. General skilled migration is your other option. Unfortuantely very few working holiday makers are able to meet the criteria and have a nominated occupation found on the Skilled Occupation List.
Immigration & Living Abroad
backpackers, general migration, second year visa, skilled migration, sponsore migration
Last week we received an interesting query on our Live Chat. The person had already traveled to Australia on a Working Holiday visa about 2 years ago. He got the visa using his Irish passport. Now he wants to travel to Australia again. He plans to apply for another Working Holiday visa with his UK passport. Is he able to do so? Let’s see how the conversation went.
- Daisy: Hi Stephen!
- Daisy: Were you on working holiday visa in Australia?
- Stephen: Yes, I got that visa
- Daisy: This is a one time visa.
- Daisy: Although you have a different passport.
- Daisy: Have you done any harvesting/construction work on the first visa?
- Stephen: Yes, I have surrendered my Irish passport, and taken up my other. No i was only in OZ for two months.
- Daisy: In this case you are not eligible to apply for another Working Holiday visa.
- Stephen: Even with a different passport?
- Daisy: If you are willing to travel and work in Australia. You can try with the Australian Skilled Migration visa or the Sponsorship visa
- Stephen: OK, many thanks for you help.
Australian Working Holiday visas are perfect for GAP Year. If you wish to spend some time Down Under after graduating highschool, there is no better solution for you. A lot of young people decide to take a year off, before going into college. If you wish to spend more time (more than 12/24 months), you should consider the Skilled Migration visa.
Australia Working Holiday, Working Holidays
australia visa, Australia Working Holiday, ireland, passport, seond visa, skilled migration, uk, visa
