Irish and British outnumber the Greeks

A report in the Sydney Morning Herald by Rania Spooner paints a different picture from the Sunday Herald Sun article. It reports that rising unemployment in Europe is driving an influx of Irish and British skilled migrants to Australia but skilled migration from Greeks where unemployment topped 20% in November remains low.

The Skilled Migration Facts regarding Irish and British migrants;

• Australian recruiters targeting an already strong relationship with the British Isles
• Global Recruitment company in Perth has noted a surge in Irish and British citizens on temporary visas seeking employer sponsorship
• East coast counterparts have only reported a small rise
• WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry forecasts an extra 500,000 extra workers required by 2020
• Current trends show a shortfall of 150,000 WA workers predicted by 2017
• Working holiday makers on 417 visas from Britain and Ireland in the 6 month to Dec 2011 numbered 42,793 a 30% increase from 2010
• Irish 457 visa applicants increased by 68% to 3095 up from 1840 during same period in 2010
• Greeks white collar professionals are tending to migrate to other European countries, rather than faraway places such as Australia
• DIAC advise the interest is there from Greece but not translating into skilled labour migration to Australia
• Of 750 hand pick Greeks to attend and expo only 30 Greeks obtain employer sponsored 457 visas
• Australian National University public policy professor Glenn Withers said the ties between UK and Australia are strong with established support networks and recruitment programs, however with Greece the ties are not as strong

Ferguson Cannon Lawyers has also noted a large rise in enquires from British and Irish already in Australia on temporary working holiday 417 visas who are coming to the end of their 1^st or 2^nd working holiday visa and for obvious reasons do not want to return due to the very limited employment options back home. We strongly advise that prospective temporary and permanent visa applicants don’t leave things to the last minute, research their options thoroughly and speak early with prospective employers looking to sponsor you.

If you require any assistance with your visa application, please don’t hesitate to contact us.