Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

Australian immigration could be accepting up to 180,000 migrants within two years. This would be the highest intake since the late 1960's.

Big business in Australia is putting pressure on the Australian Federal Government to plug skills shortages by increasing the numbers of migrant workers. But another huge rise in the immigrant intake could cause concerns about the impact on jobs locally.

Skilled migration to Australia is set to continue as ministers and heads of business travel to India to recruit skilled labour to fill Australia's growing labour market shortage.

Twenty Australian businessmen are currently accompanying the Australian Prime Minister John Howard on a three day trade mission to India. The main objective of the visit is to entice skilled labour specialists to immigrate to Australia through its Skill Stream Migration Program.

New Zealand's Seasonal Work Permit Pilot has been extended till September, said David Cunliffe Minister of Immigration. The minister wants more overseas workers to meet the seasonal labour demands in the horticulture and viniculture industries.

These industries have informed the government of New Zealand that this years season will go on for longer than originally expected and additional labour will be needed.

A heavy duty diesel fitter is the most needed employee in the country, commanding a salary from $150,000, according to the head of one of the largest employers of tradesmen in Australia, Phil Smart.

Engineers, accountants, electrical estimators, draftsmen and bakers are also in high demand in all parts of the country, particularly regional areas.

At the Down Under Expo in Dublin this week, Irish businesses were encouraged to consider Australia as an ideal commercial location.More than 50 specialist exhibitors from Australia attended the two-day event.Western Australia currently has a skills shortage of more than 14,000, despite the fact that the region is booming due to the rapid growth of its export market to China. A spokesman said there are opportunities on offer for Irish graduates and entrepreneurs.

Australia's capital Canberra is facing such a chronic shortage of labour that the ACT (Australia Capital Territory) Chamber of Commerce believes the only solution is to import foreign workers.

Doctors from Belgium, tradespeople from Germany and accountants and bookkeepers from Bangladesh are being targeted in a recruiting drive initiated by chamber chief Chris Peters.