Australia - Increase in Visas under Skilled Migration Program

 

Effective immediately, an additional 6,000 permanent Employer Sponsored and General Skilled Migration visas have been authorized under the Skilled Migration program for the 2007-2008 year which will end on June 30, 2008.   The additional visas will bring the total number of permanent visas available under this program to 108,500 for the 20072008 year.  The additional visas were issued to ease the current skills and labor shortages in Australia.  

Negotiations are also in process with certain countries to expand the Working Holiday visa program.  This program allows foreign nationals ages 18-30 from selected countries to visit Australia for up to one year and work for any Australian employer for up to six months.  The expansion of this program will include an addition of the following industries:  tourism, agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining.  Also, Working Holiday visa holders who have worked a minimum of three months in the construction sector in non-metropolitan Australia will be eligible for extensions.