HEALTH, education and engineering firms are expected to be hardest hit by the looming skills shortages in the Australian workforce over the next decade, a survey says. The Clarius Skills Index, which measures the supply and demand for skilled labour across 20 job categories, eased slightly to 99.7 index points in the September quarter, down from 100 in the previous quarter.
Soaring demand for resources is contributing to Australia’s wealth but a large number of projects are at risk due to skills shortages. Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) said an ANZ Bank-Port Jackson Partners report forecast the resources boom could create 750,000 jobs in the next 20 years. Mr Leigh Clifford, the former Rio Tinto chief who now also chairs Qantas, named skills shortages as one of the biggest concerns facing the nation.
Despite the current and predicted skills shortage, the Immigration programme is taking various shapes. This July, the point system was revamped to a 65 point system. Next July (2012), it is proposed to take a whole new approach. What do these changes mean? Of course there is a perception that it is becoming even harder to qualify for migration under the skilled migration programme. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to see more places being introduced under the regional migration scheme. The mining boom in Western Australia and in Queensland, is likely to increase the current demand bring the skills shortage to an acute one, particularly in these regions.
The new migration scheme, which will come into effect in July 2012 is likely to have an entirely different approach, where an Expression Of Interest (EOI) is lodged at the inception. The application will stay in a pool until selected and when invited a visa application can be lodged. It is understood at this point the skills need to be assessed and other requirements such as IELTS testing and obtaining of State/ Territory nominations must be completed prior to the lodgement of an EOI. The main difference that is anticipated between the current and post July 2012 proposed scheme would be, under the current system when an application is lodged with the Department of Immigration it must be decided with a positive or negative outcome. However, in the new system proposed, an invitation must be received by the applicant to lodge a visa. If the skills are assessed and other requirements to be fulfilled, at the time of EOI, and if not accepted, wouldn’t the whole exercise be an unproductive one? We will know the answers to some of these concerns in due course.
If you are interested in considering migration to Australia and you are eligible to make an application according to the current regulations, it is best to make the move now. The new regulations are likely to take place in July 2012. Considering the time remaining, you could make the most of the available opportunity. First and foremost, see if you are within the reach of 65 points. Keeping in mind, first, a skills assessment must be obtained from the relevant assessment authority for your nominated occupation. Some applicants may have decided to go via a state/ territory sponsorship, which is the second step. Also, you must complete an IELTS before lodging the visa application, and a visa application to be lodge before the 1 July 2012. These steps are time consuming, and good planning is essential if you are preparing the applications yourself.
Australian Migration Centre is holding a seminar on 4th December at the AMC premises. We will discuss in length, how to prepare your applications for skills assessment, government sponsorships and finally the visa application. It is always best you seek professional assistance when it comes to migration. For further information contact Shaun on 0772932239 or Ishani on 0772932237
Some information in this article was extracted from The Australian http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
|
E-mail
