Recent News
New migration measures crucial to mining boom
success - Tuesday, 19 July 2011
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today announced new measures to assist Perth businesses attract the workers they need and alleviate skills shortages in the resources sector. In an address to the Migration Conference of the Australian Minerals and Metals Association (AMMA), Mr Bowen said a record $380 billion in mining investment—nearly four times the average level for the past 30 years—was projected to lead to a shortage of 36 000 tradespeople by 2015.
'The simple fact is that there will not be enough Australian workers to get the job done,' Mr Bowen said. 'Skills shortages are not limited to mining projects, with opportunities for Australians in the resources sector leading to local skills shortages in other parts of Western Australia, particularly in Perth.
'Therefore, for the purpose of greater access to skilled migration, Perth will now be considered a regional city and will be able to benefit from inclusion in the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
'This will provide employers with another, easier avenue to recruit the skilled workers they need from overseas and give skilled temporary visa holders in Perth a more streamlined pathway to permanent migration.' For the first time ever, the government has specifically allocated 16 000 places for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme in the recent Budget. This complements the government’s record investment in skills training for domestic workers announced in the Budget.
The government's skilled migration programs are already significantly benefiting Western Australian business, with new statistics out today showing the number of temporary skilled 457 visa holders going to this state has more than doubled over the last year.
'WA receives almost 20 per cent of all 457 visa holders—or 9000 primary visa holders—despite only having 10 per cent of the Australian population,' Mr Bowen said. 'With 457 visa processing times 30 per cent faster than five years ago, the government is quickly delivering skilled workers to where they are most needed.
'Skilled migration supports Australian
businesses, our valuable resources sector, and the economy more broadly.'
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Priority Processing for ENS & RSMS visas:
DIAC has experienced a very high level of demand for ENS/RSMS visas which has resulted in lengthy processing delays. As at January, 2011 DIAC processing times can be up to six or seven months! In an attempt to better manage the large caseload, DIAC recently introduced “priority processing” for registered Migration Agents.
When Registered Migration Agents certify that an RSMS & ENS application is “decision-ready” the application will be immediately allocated to a case officer for processing. If the application is not decision ready it will be receive normal processing and go into DIAC’s processing queue.
To access priority processing, the application must be fully documented which means when it is lodged all required documents and information is included with the application, so the Immigration Officer can pick up the file and not ask for any outstanding information. Outstanding Police clearances often delay applications, so you need to apply for overseas penal or police clearances as soon as possible.
This DIAC initiative is a great opportunity for visa applicants. We have recently had visas granted within two weeks!
Contact us asap to discuss your options!