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Australia Day

A Few Facts in Celebration of Australia Day, By DIAC.

Australian citizenship was first introduced in 1949 with the enactment of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948. Before this, most Australian residents were British subjects.

The first citizenship ceremony was staged at Albert Hall, Canberra, on 3 February 1949. Seven men became citizens – one to represent each state and the ACT.

They were from Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, Norway, Spain and Yugoslavia.

During 1949, almost 2500 people from more than 35 countries became Australian citizens. Most were from Italy, Poland, Greece, Germany and Yugoslavia.

More than four million people have become Australian citizens in the past 60 years.

More than 95 per cent of the nation’s population are Australian citizens.
Australian citizenship is celebrated annually on Australian Citizenship Day, September 17.

Events and commemorations
The 60th anniversary will be launched at the Australia Day citizenship ceremony at Regatta Point in Canberra.

Searching For A Job in Australia?

Check out the following sites:

Immigration demonstrates commitment to IT careers

By The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC):

Have You Seen ‘Australia’ the Movie?

Luhrmann’s $82 million outback epic ‘Australia’ has travellers everywhere itching to visit the stunning landscapes captured so evocatively in the movie.

He’s selling Kununurra and the Kimberley in the rugged northwest of WA; tropical Darwin in the Territory and Bowen on Queensland’s Whitsunday Coast; and some of Sydney’s most magnificent historic homes.

In response, Australians are falling in love with Australia again and turning to adventures to relax, regroup, recharge and discover the real Australia for themselves, in this time of financial crisis.

Ok, it’s nothing new – films have inspired travellers to visit certain locations for years – what’s the point of difference in this one? It is a classic outback journey.

The film is the story of an English aristocrat, played by Nicole Kidman and a cattle drover from the wrong side of the tracks, played by Hugh Jackman, who drive a 1,500 herd of cattle across Northern Australia.

Two of Australia’s state tourist boards have joined forces to create a touring route that allows visitors to travel through the stunning scenery that inspired the film.

The route starts in the harbour city of Darwin, meandering though desert landscapes and native bush for 1,875 kilometres and finishing in the pearling town of Broome. It takes 11 days to complete the trip. Along the way, travellers will see the landscapes that provided the natural backdrops for the film, as well as meet local stockmen and cattle drovers who are the ‘real’ cast of the movie.

For More Articles on Travel Australia:

http://www.immigration-australia-blog.com/2008/10/crocodile-madness.html

http://www.immigration-australia-blog.com/2008/10/few-thoughts-on-dirt-tracks.html

Have you seen the movie?… leave your comments below.

Writen by Sarah Jacquet Author of ‘Immigrate to Australia – Getting Started”. To purchase ebook, link, contact author for a write-up of your business or request to publish blog items, email contact@writeup.com.au

Getting Started eBook

“Immigrate to Australia – Getting started” is a concise must-read for the first steps toward a new life in Australia.

Australia’s Biggest Brain Drain On Record

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, released a report that shows Australia experienced its biggest annual exodus on record with 76 923 people leaving the country permanently in 2007-08.

The Emigration 2007-2008 report reveals that almost half the Australian residents that left permanently were in skilled jobs and nearly two thirds were aged between 25 and 54.

A further 102 066 Australian residents left the country for a year or more with more than 55 per cent in professional occupations or trades.

Senator Evans said the data showed that emigration played a significant role in Australia’s current skills shortage.

‘Historically high numbers of our young, highly skilled people are moving overseas to live and work,’ Senator Evans said.

‘The 76 923 people that departed Australia permanently in 2007-08 represents a 6.7 per cent increase on the previous year and a 325 per cent increase on the low of 18 100 people who left permanently in 1985-86.’
‘These latest figures also reflect the current global demand for skills and the internationalisation of the labour market as part of the broader process of globalisation.’

Other key findings in the report include:

• The main countries of intended residence for all permanent departures were New Zealand (18.4 per cent), the United Kingdom (17.8 per cent), the United States of America (9.3 per cent), Hong Kong (7.2 per cent) and Singapore (6.4 per cent).
• Those leaving are almost equally divided between Australian born and overseas born. This has been the case in every year since 1998-99.
• The top five countries of birth for those leaving were: Australia 39 144, New Zealand 7820, United Kingdom 6 047, China 4480 and Hong Kong 2211.
• Residents of New South Wales led the exodus with 31 390 people, followed by Victoria (16 408), Queensland (15 289), Western Australia (8388) and South Australia (3140).
• 39 467 or 51 per cent of the permanent departures were men compared to 37 456 women (49 per cent).
• The Emigration 2007-2008 report is based on information from passenger cards supplied to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on arrival in and departure from Australia and supplemented from passenger and visa information systems.
• Although there were 149 635 permanent settler arrivals in 2007-08, the net gain (arrivals minus permanent departures) was the tenth highest recorded.

Useful resources:
www.immigration-australia-blog.com/2008/10/immigration-balances-local-brain-drain.html

Employer Nomination Scheme

If you have found a job here and an employer to sponsore you,

Fancy Marrying An Australian?

Well, if you plan to marry (fiance), are married to/or living with someone (for 12 months), or are in a committed relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, (this includes same sex couples) there is the partner-based visa for immigration to Australia.

• The Australian citizen/permanent resident will act as a sponsor for your visa.

This means that your sponsor will provide a written statement pledging to support you for your first two years in Australia, including accommodation and financial assistance to meet reasonable living needs.

Largest Immigration Drive in 40 Years

The UK & mainland Europe are still the main targets for finding new immigrants to move to Australia.

Australia’s Most Affordable Towns

The most affordable towns in Victoria are, not too suprisingly, all country towns: