Date: 2005-11-03

Government Targets Migration to Skill Needs of Australian Industry


Government Targets Migration to Skill Needs of Australian Industry
More occupations have been added to the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) giving Australian employers and industry access to a wider range of skilled workers, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs Senator Amanda Vanstone and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Kevin Andrews said today.

‘Professions and trades listed on MODL attract extra points for workers with those skills or qualifications for points-tested visa categories, making it easier for them to come to Australia as skilled migrants,’ the Ministers said.

‘The List has been extended to include mining engineers, petroleum engineers, chemical engineers and dental specialists,’ Mr Andrews said.

‘As a result of recent research by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), the List now includes 34 professional occupations and 26 trade occupations. The inclusion of a large number of occupations specific to the health and resource industries has been welcomed by employers.’

‘From January 2006, the List will be reviewed on a 6 monthly basis to ensure it is responsive to the existing and emerging skill needs of Australian employers.’

‘The extension of the List to include additional occupations will boost economic growth and job opportunities in key industries. It will also complement other Government initiatives to attract skilled migrant such as the recent round of overseas expos,’ Senator Vanstone said.

‘In addition, applications which have an occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List, receive faster processing ensuring that employers are able to fill skilled vacancies as quickly as possible.’

Contact rechelle@migrationmatters.com or cathrine@migrationmatters.com for more information.

1 November 2005
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media_releases/media05/v05144.htm