Australia hopes to attract skilled Indian workers

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According to David Holly, Australian Consul-General for South India, the Australian government hopes to attract more skilled Indian workers to deal with a shortfall of labour through changes in its skilled immigration scheme.

There continues to be rapid growth in the Australian economy; Many Australian firms are looking abroad for skilled workers, particularly workers for the resources industry (such as mining).

Under reforms to immigration policy which will take place on 1 July 2011, the age limit for applicants under the General Skilled Migration program will be raised from 45 to 50 years of age.

For many applicants, a job offer is required to obtain permanent residence in Australia. The General Skilled Migration (GSM) scheme allows entry of independent immigrants and immigrants sponsored by relatives and immigrants nominated by a State or Territory government. GSM immigration schemes are certainly worth considering if you wish to live and work in Australia.

There are also employer and government sponsored immigration routes which should also be considered by skilled Indian workers.

It is hoped that the upcoming changes to the General Skilled Immigration program will attract 125,850 skilled overseas workers by June of 2012.

Shortages in the Australian labour market are experienced in a wide range of sectors, including the IT, engineering, and medical industries

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