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Skilled Migration Visas cut by 14%

Source: www.immi.gov.au
The permanent skilled migration program is being cut by 14% to protect local jobs – at the same time, the Government hopes to ensure employers can access skilled professionals in industries still experiencing skills shortages.

As has long been the case, the Government can adjust immigration levels according to the economic circumstances of the day and last week Cabinet agreed to cut the permanent skilled migration program in light of the worsening global economic situation.

Clearly, the economic circumstances in Australia have changed as a result of the global financial crisis so it is prudent to reduce this year’s migration intake accordingly.

The changes to the program are:

• A 14 per cent cut in the 2008-09 permanent skilled migration program intake from 133 500 to 115 000.
• Removing building and manufacturing trades from the Critical Skills List, such as bricklayers, plumbers, welders, carpenters and metal fitters. The list will now comprise mainly health and medical, engineering and IT professions.

These changes follow measures announced in December that resulted in only those migrants sponsored by an employer or in an occupation on the Critical Skills List being granted visas under the permanent skilled migration program. Almost half of the permanent visas granted are to applicants already living and working in Australia.

The Critical Skills List will remain under constant review and the Government will remove occupations from the list if demand for those skills can be satisfied by local labour.

The overwhelming message from business and industry is that Australia still needs to maintain a skilled migration program but one that is more targeted so that migrant workers are meeting skills shortages and not competing with locals for jobs.

There are still skills shortages in some sectors, such as healthcare, and these measures will enable industry to continue to source the skilled professionals they need while protecting local jobs and the wages and conditions of Australian workers.

The Rudd Government remains committed to a strong migration program but will continue to monitor the migration intake and will set the 2009-10 migration program to reflect the economic climate as part of the Budget process.

Skilled migration plays a crucial role in stimulating the economy and combined with the Government’s Nation Building and Jobs Plan, will help Australia come out of the global economic downturn.

The Worst Disaster to Hit Moreton Bay

Just north of Brisbane, 100,000 litres of oil and 32 containers of Ammonium Nitrate are currently being washed around Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River.

The pristine white sands of the sunshine coast, Bribie and Morton Island are under going a mammoth clean-up as the oil slick washes ashore.

Difficulties in Healthcare Continue.

What is the Rudd Government doing about this?

Well, it is investing in GP training centres…..

Job Focus: Engineers still in Demand.

Australia is still in need of Engineers.

According to Engineers Australia, the estimated local shortage is 28,000 engineering professionals. If there are skilled migration cuts in this area, there would be an impact on essential future infrastructure and industrial maintenance projects.

The association said governments are looking to fast-track major infrastructure programs to stimulate economic activity. Engineers are a key part of the equation.

Tourism Australia attracts more Backpackers than ever.

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship have recorded an increase of 21% in working holiday visas.

2009’s Calendar of Cultural and Religeous Events.

Better later than never, I just came across this resource for all new Australians and want-to-be migrants.

Australians come from 230 different countries, speak more than 300 languages and practise a wide range of religions

The calendar lists more than 330 cultural and religious dates that will take place throughout 2009.

‘Cultural diversity gives vibrancy and dynamism to Australian life and festivals play an important role in bringing people together, regardless of their background.’

Mr Ferguson said cultural celebrations often lead to new friendships and help to overcome ignorance and encourage community cohesion.

‘One of the great things about being Australian is that we are able to share our many different cultural and religious traditions with one another,’ Mr Ferguson said.

‘By highlighting cultural and religious dates of importance to many Australians, I hope the calendar encourages us all to find out more about our cultural and religious heritage.’

People can search the calendar by month, event or country/religion. For example, one of Australia’s longest running annual cultural events, the Greek Festival of Sydney, is celebrated on 29 March. A Hindu festival honouring the love between brothers and sisters, ‘Raksha Bandhan’, is marked on 5 August by the sister tying a thread on the wrist of her brother as a bond of protection.

The calendar is available on the DIAC website at:
www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/a-diverse-australia/calendar-australia

Active School Life.

Walking Wheeling Wednesday maybe something you will become familiar with once you’ve moved to Australia.

Wild Weather at Sea.

During the last two days, the North shore of Brisbane has experienced high tides, wind and rain as the tail end of a recent hurricane blew in.

Harmony Day 2009 – March 21st.

The day for Australian’s to get together and be supportive of cultural diversity.

Source: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/

Hundreds of thousands of Australians are expected to use Harmony Day on March 21 as an opportunity to show support for the diversity and strength of their communities, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said today.

‘Harmony Day celebrates the cohesive nature of Australia and promotes the benefits of cultural diversity, as reflected in the 2009 theme of Everyone Belongs,’ Mr Ferguson said.

So far, more than 2100 community groups, businesses, schools, government agencies and councils throughout Australia have registered events.

Harmony Day is part of the Diverse Australia Program, which helps local communities address cultural, racial and religious intolerance and works with different levels of government and community organisations to empower grassroots action.

The Diverse Australia Program provides annual funding of amounts of $5000 for small community grants and up to $50 000 for larger community relations programs and includes funding to respond to emerging issues.

Harmony Day 2009 is supported by iconic Australian organisations such as the Australian Football League, Cricket Australia, Girl Guides Australia and Scouts Australia. Valuable corporate support is being provided by Unisys, Universal McCann, HMA Blaze and Spots and Space.

The Australian Tax Office, the Australian Federal Police, Centrelink, Australia Post, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and IP Australia are among the many government agencies taking part in Harmony Day celebrations.

This year, Harmony Day will also be supported by the Scanlon Foundation’s new initiative, Taste of Harmony (March 16-22), which encourages all Australian workplaces to celebrate cultural diversity through food.

Diversity & Tolerance – What the new Council will do.

How does Australia manage it’s many nations in one?
When it comes to diversity and tolerance, this a shared areas of concern by both the Australian Government and new migrant alike.

As new migrants we were keen for confirmation that we would be well received both at work and play.

Our skills and work history are evaluated during the migration process but are tested again, when we are job seeking and entering the Australian work force.

As a family, to settle we needed to find a sense of place and belonging in our community.

Whilst this takes time and effort on our behalf and is partly down to our own ability to connect, network, socialise and communicate, seek advice, learn and grow, accept or complain…our ability to integrate is also partly reliant on the host country to be tolerant and hospitable.

The council will focus on:

• practical approaches to promoting social cohesion
• overcoming intolerance and racism in Australia
• communicating the social and economic benefits of Australia’s cultural diversity
• the inclusion of migrants in society.