Need Work? Australia Targets Brits; 31,000 Qualified Migrants Needed

London, UK (PRWEB) May 22, 2008 -- It's a simple question of supply and demand," said Andy Harwood of the Australian Visa Bureau. "Australian employers need skilled workers, especially tradespeople (http://www.visabureau.com/australia/migration-occupations-in-demand-list.aspx), but in many cases unskilled workers, to help them expand their businesses. At the same time, people in the UK are discovering that they can enjoy a better quality of life in Australia. The move makes perfect sense."

These recent additions to the 2008-2009 quota, increase Australia's skilled migrant total 133,500. By far the biggest source of migrants to Australia is the United Kingdom, with well over 20,000 Brits making a one-way trip to Australia every year.

"Brits making the move to Australia may be pleasantly surprised at both how much house their pounds can buy and what their earning potential is in Australia with the current exchange rate at close to £1 to A$2.05," says Harwood. "The property market still has plenty of room to grow, especially in cities like Perth where the effects of the resources and commodities boom are putting upward pressure on residential property."

Australia's migration system is designed to be flexible, allowing the government to use the system as one of the tools in its economic plan. "There's an interesting contrast to the UK. In the UK, immigration policy has largely been driven from an asylum perspective, but in Australia the migration policy is structured to suit their economic challenges."

Note to Editors:

The Australian Skilled Migration Programme (http://www.visabureau.com/australia/emigrate-to-australia.aspx) uses a points system to rank applicants. Visa applicants can earn points for their work experience, age, education, English language ability, and occupation.

The occupations the Australian Government is actively seeking to attract include Welders, Electricians, Bricklayers, Plumbers, Mechanics, Painters and Hairdressers, among many others. Interested applicants can find out if they qualify to emigrate by completing an online assessment at http://www.visabureau.com/australia/assessment/skilled/.

About the Australian Visa Bureau

The Australian Visa Bureau (http://www.visabureau.com/australia) is an independent visa and migration consulting firm, specialising in arranging visas for British and Irish nationals looking to live, work and travel to Australia. The Australian Visa Bureau is based in London. Visit http://www.visabureau.com/australia for further information and free online visa assessments for Australia.

###