Recent statistics released by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have shown a 10 per cent increase in sponsored 457 visas in 2011. Of the recipients of those visas, the United Kingdom, India and Ireland are the top three citizenship countries.

While Ireland's unemployment rate still sits above 14 per cent, these figures illustrate a positive result for citizens of Ireland searching for opportunities to live and work in Australia while they are unable to obtain such opportunties in their own country.

The Irish Echo reported further details of these latest statistics released by DIAC;

An increasing number of Irish workers are finding sponsorship with Australian companies, according to the latest statistics.

Figures released by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) show that Irish citizens were granted 1,460 primary 457 visas in the last year until 30 September 2011, a significant increase on the figure of 830 for the same period in 2010.

The four-year 457s are temporary residence visas offered to skilled workers and their dependants who are sponsored by an Australian company.

Primary visa grants refer to people who applied for sponsorship for their own behalf, while secondary applicants are those attached to partners’ applications.

The number of primary visa holders in Australia at 30 September 2011 was 77,250 – an increase of 10 per cent in comparison with the same date last year.

Following this trend, Irish citizens made up 2,580 of the 457 visa holders in NSW as of the end of September, followed by 1,480 in resource-rich Western Australia and 1,300 in Victoria.

The number of subclass 457s granted from July to the end of September 2011 was 54.2 per cent higher than the same period last year. However, the number of primary visas granted in September 2011 was 2.8 per cent lower than in August.

There was little change in the top three industries for primary visa grants, with healthcare and social assistance (13.5 per cent), other services (12.4 per cent) and construction (12.0 per cent) continuing to top the list.

Irish citizens were granted a total of 14,833 working holiday 417 visas between 2009 and 2010, which was a drop of 7,953 on the previous year.

To read the full article at the Irish Echo, click here.

If you're interested in living and working in Australia on a sponsored 457 visa, join the Australian Migration and Visa Lawyers Employment Network. The network facilitates overseas skilled workers seeking both sponsored visas and employment, as well as seeking quality skilled overseas workers for Australian employers and manages all visa arrangements for both parties.

Currently we have vancancies to be filled by skilled workers in the following occupations; agricultural mechanics, diesel fitters, welders, panel beaters, project managers, electricians, metal machinists, motor mechanics, engineers, metal fabricators, CAD designers, hydraulic fitters, telecommunications linesmen and telecommunications and electrical designers. If you want to register for one of these vancancies, click here to fill out an Employment Network registration form.

For Australian employers seeking assistance in recruiting and sponsoring overseas skilled workers, click here and register your interest.

Lately media coverage of migration has focussed mostly on debates and issues surrounding illegal asylum-seekers in Australia, however new figures have revealed that the number of illegal students almost doubles the number of asylum-seekers in Australia by boat for 2010-2011.

As reported by The Australian;

More than 8300 students stayed on in Australia after their visas had expired or been cancelled, up from 6800 the previous year and just 1900 in 2009-10.

By comparison, arrivals of maritime asylum-seekers totalled 4700 in 2010-11, down from 5600 the previous year.

Monash University demographer Bob Birrell said the surge in overstaying students reflected "thwarted expectations" in the wake of skilled migration policy changes last year.

"Most would have expected to stay on in Australia, preferably as permanent residents, or at least for several years in our labour market," he said. Many had switched to other courses.

"What (the department) is now picking up is that thousands are not actually attending these courses or completing them," Dr Birrell said. "Others stayed on without renewing their visas. They have fewer options now to stay on legally."

To read the full article, click here.

If you're a student and are interested in legally extending your stay in Australia, contact us or email student@australianmigrations.com to submit an enquiry to our Recent Graduates team, they can discuss with you the visa options available and can assist with your application. Our friendly and professional team of Registered Migration Agents specialise in all visa categories.

As migration and Australia's shortage of skilled workers continues to remain a focus in the media, Woodside Petroleum chief excecutive Peter Coleman has weighed in to discussions stating that a large portion of Australia's skilled workers must go west if we are to meet Asian deman for minerals and energy. 

As reported in Perth Now;

Mr Coleman told the Commonwealth Business Forum yesterday that Asian demand for resources, would continue to rise, but competition for skilled labour was a major challenge.

Hancock Prospecting chair Gina Rinehart agreed labour shortages were "a real risk" to major resources projects in Western Australia's north.

"A substantial part of Australia's skilled workforce needs to move west if we're to meet the ever growing demands from our region for resources and energy," Mr Coleman told delegates.

"Government can play its part by putting in place taxation and industrial relations policies necessary to boost productivity."

He also indicated that rules for bringing in skilled workers from overseas should be relaxed, a view echoed by Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder, who called for "appropriate immigration policies" in Australia to ensure skilled labour needs were met.

To read the full article at Perth Now, click here.

If you want to discuss your eligibility to live and work in Australia under Australia's Skilled Migration Program, contact us today to speak to one of our friendly, professional Registered Migration Agents.

To learn more about our Employment Network which currently has hundreds of job vacancies through our employer members, click here or email jobs@australianmigrations.com to register your interest. We are particularly looking for quality skilled diesel fitters, welders, panel beaters, project managers, electricians, metal machinists, motor mechanics, engineers, metal fabricators, CAD designers, hydraulic fitters, telecommunications linesmen and telecommunications and electrical designers. All jobs offered include employer sponsored 457 visas.