Engineers get priority for visa applications

Engineers applying for a visa to migrate to Australia will receive priority from Australian immigration.

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has included the following engineering occupations on the new Critical Skills List (CSL) coming into effect on 1 January 2009.

2129-17 Engineer - Chemical
2124-11 Engineer - Civil
2125-11 Engineer - Electrical
2125-13 Engineer - Electronics
2126-11 Engineer - Mechanical
2127-11 Engineer - Mining

2126-13 Engineer - Production or Plant Engineer

From: tribuslingua.com.au

Moving stories

The Immigration Museum explores the stories of real people from all over the world who have migrated to Victoria.

Located in the Old Customs House in the heart of the city, the museum re-creates the real-life stories of coming to Australia with a rich mix of moving images, personal and community voices, memories and memorabilia.

From the reasons for making the journey, to the moment of arrival in a new country, and the impact on indigenous communities, these stories are sometimes sad, sometimes funny, but always engaging. The result is a thought-provoking and moving experience.

Now Showing:

• Station Pier, Melbourne Station Pier: gateway to a new life. Find out why this landmark has become such an evocative symbol of Victoria's immigration history.
  

• Leaving Home exhibition. What would it take to make you leave your homeland and travel thousands of miles to another country?
  

• Settlings exhibition. Immigrant stories and timeline is about us all - those who were here and those who came.

• Journeys of a Lifetime. No matter when they arrived, all immigrants are linked by the common experience of a journey.
  

• Customs gallery. The story of the Old Customs House and its importance to Victoria's economic growth. Immigrant processing at Sydney airpor

• Getting In. More than 9 million people have migrated to Australia since 1788.
  

The Immigration Museum is located in Melbourne's CBD, at: 400 Flinders Street, MELBOURNE, VIC, and is open: daily 10am - 5pm. Admission: Adults $6, Concessions and Children free entry.

For more details see their website:
http://museumvictoria.com.au/ImmigrationMuseum/

Essential Publications

From humorous to high-brow, there are numerous books on the market that practical information necessary for a new life in Australia.

We have put together a list of the best books - from the odd quirks and customs of the country, to practical guides - you'll have it all covered.

Subjects include: finding a job, permits & visas, health, accommodation, finance, insurance, education, shopping, post office and telephone services, public transport, motoring, TV and radio, leisure, sports and much, much more.

• Living and Working in Australia: A Survival Handbook (Living & Working)

• Australia - Culture Smart!

• Americans' Survival Guide to Australia and Australian-American Dictionary

• The Other Australia: Experiences of Migration

• Living and Working in Australia: A Survival Handbook (Living & Working)

• LIVING AND WORKING IN AUSTRALIA: All You Need to Know for Starting a New Life 'down Under'

New Changes to Skilled Migration processing

Changes have been made to ensure that Australia's skilled migration program is better targeted in 2009 - and there will be no cuts to skilled visa numbers.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has announced a number of measures that will ensure the Skilled Migration Program from January 2009 will be better targeted and more responsive to the changing needs of the economy.

It will mean the introduction of faster processing for permanent skilled visa applicants where the migrant's job is on a new list, called the Critical Skills List - providing good news for most trades, including nurses, school teachers, accountants and many IT professionals, all on this list.

There will also be priority processing for those who are state sponsored or employer sponsored; and more flexibility for each state to offer 500 places to skilled migrants whose jobs do not appear on that state's list. It will offer good opportunities for entrepreneurial would-be migrants to do their research and pitch their case to the state of their choice. It will also mean that skilled migrants will be sponsored to go into jobs that cannot be filled locally.



Employer-nominated visas
will continue to be managed on a demand driven basis, and successful applicants will be able to go straight into a skilled job and make an immediate positive economic contribution to Australia.

The skill profile of the intake under the points tested migration classes will be changed in favour of those with occupational skills identified as being a priority by State and Territory Governments and at the same time will lead to some reduction in the overall intake. It will provide state and territory governments with greater scope to meet critical skill shortages in their jurisdiction

The Government will maintain the current planning target of 133,500 skilled places as a ceiling on the 2008-09 program - quelling gossip of wide-spread cuts to skilled visa numbers. Depending on the skill needs of employers the final number of grants may result in a program outcome below that limit.
Written by: Liane Voisey

For further information about these changes contact www.bridgemigration.com and see how we can help you.

A comprehensive list of Australian Embassies, high commissions, consulates, multilateral missions and representative offices

Immigration Helps Australia Grow

Recent figures show that the Australian population is growing at a strong rate, which can mainly be attributed to immigration

Recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that Australia's population is growing at its fastest rate in nearly 20 years. Records show that the number of people living in Australia has increased to 21.374 million as of June 30th this year. This is an increase of 359,000 (1.7 percent) from the previous year.

59 percent of the growth can be attributed directly to immigration, with the Government's successful migration program enabling more foreign nationals to live and work in Australia.

Western Australia still continues to record the fastest growth at 2.7 per cent. This is primarily due to the mining industry which has been central to the economic boom of the state over the last ten years.

Queensland and Northern Territory both recorded a 2.3 percent growth, while Victoria had 1.8 percent. ACT grew at 1.3 percent, South Australia and New South Wales had 1.1 percent, and Tasmania experienced a 1 percent growth.
From: www.future-concern.com

If you are interested in living and working in Australia, contact Bridge Migration for expert advice on visa eligibility and assessment.

Tasmania Announces New Skills in Demand List

Tasmania has added additional occupations to its skills in demand list...

The Tasmanian State Government offers a range of sponsorships for skilled and business migrants and have now added additional occupations to their skills in demand list.

If you have a skill which is 'in demand' in Tasmania the State Government can sponsor you to migrate 'independently' to Australia.

To be eligible for sponsorship your occupation must be on the current 'skills in demand list' and you must demonstrate your commitment to live and work in Tasmania for at least two years.

Tasmania is currently one of the fastest growing economies within Australia with growth of 7.2 per cent from June 2007 to June 2008.

The State's strong fiscal position and planned infrastructure spending will support continued growth and maintain employment.

For the other states' Skills in Demand see:

• New South Wales

• Victoria

• Queensland

• South Australia

• Western Australia

• Northern Territory

• Australian Capital Territory

Written by: Liane Voisey

Past, Present and Future: the cultural heritage of the Filipino Migrant

For an exhibition that celebrates Filipino culture and the contribution of Filipino migrants in South Australia don't miss 'Past, Present and Future: the cultural heritage of the Filipino Migrant' featuring costume, craft and mementos of life in the Philippines.

Running until 27th February 2009, the exhibition is housed in the historic remains of Adelaide’s Destitute Asylum in the city centre's, Migration Museum.

The Museum houses a number of permanent exhibitions on the immigration and settlement history of South Australia, and also hosts and develops a number of changing exhibitions and public programs. It is a place to explore South Australia’s history and cultural diversity, through the stories of individuals and communities.

The museum is located at : 82 Kintore Avenue, ADELAIDE SA 5000, and is open: 10am - 5pm Monday to Friday / 1pm - 5pm weekends and public holidays. Admission is Free.

For more details see their website:
http://www.history.sa.gov.au/migration/about.htm

Australian Embassies Around the World

A thorough list of Australian Embassies, high commissions, consulates, multilateral missions and representative offices in different countries, around the world.

http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/

Is your Occupation in Demand?

The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) lists the occupations and specialisations that are in short supply in Australia. For more information see the Department of immigration website.

Managers and Administrators:
Child Care Coordinator
Engineering Manager

Professionals:
Accountant
Anaesthetist
Architect
Chemical Engineer
Civil Engineer
Computing Professional - specialising in CISSP *
Computing Professional - specialising in C++/C#/C *
Computing Professional - specialising in Data Warehousing
Computing Professional - specialising in Java *
Computing Professional - specialising in J2EE *
Computing Professional - Linux
Computing Professional - .Net technologies
Computing Professional - specialising in Network Security/Firewall/Internet Security *
Computing Professional - specialising in Oracle *
Computing Professional - specialising in PeopleSoft *
Computing Professional - specialising in SAP *
Computing Professional - specialising in SIEBEL *
(especially Siebel Analytic)
Computing Professional - Solaris
Computing Professional - Unix
Dental Specialist
Dentist
Dermatologist
Electrical Engineer
Electronics Engineer
Emergency Medicine Specialist
External Auditor
General Medical Practitioner
Hospital Pharmacist
Mechanical Engineer
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Occupational Therapist
Ophthalmologist
Optometrist
Paediatrician
Pathologist
Petroleum Engineer
Physiotherapist
Podiatrist
Psychiatrist
Quantity Surveyor
Radiologist
Registered Mental Health Nurse
Registered Midwife
Registered Nurse
Retail Pharmacist
Specialist Medical Practitioners (not elsewhere classified)
Specialist Physician
Speech Pathologist
Sonographer
Surgeon
Surveyor

Associate Professionals:
Chef (excluding Commis Chef)
Dental Technician

Trades Persons:
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
Automotive Electrician
Baker
Binder and Finisher
Boat Builder and Repairer
Bricklayer
Cabinetmaker
Carpenter
Carpenter and Joiner
Cook
Drainer
Electrical Powerline Tradesperson
Electrician (Special Class)
Electronic Equipment Tradesperson
Fibrous Plasterer
Fitter
Floor Finisher
Furniture Finisher
Furniture Upholsterer
Gasfitter
General Electrician
General Plumber
Hairdresser
Joiner
Landscape Gardener
Lift Mechanic
Locksmith
Mechanical Services and Air-conditioning Plumber
Metal Fabricator (Boilermaker)
Metal Machinist (First Class)
Motor Mechanic
Optical Mechanic
Painter and Decorator
Panel Beater
Pastry Cook
Pressure Welder
Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic
Roof Plumber
Roof Slater and Tiler
Solid Plasterer
Sheetmetal Worker (First Class)
Stonemason
Toolmaker
Tree Surgeon
Vehicle Body Maker
Vehicle Painter
Wall and Floor Tiler
Welder (First Class)
* If you nominate one of the above specialist computing occupations, you will only be awarded MODL points if your skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing body – the Australian Computer Society (ACS) states you have met the criteria to be recognised in one of the above specialisations.

Contact www.bridgemigration.com to see how we can offer advice and assistance on skilled migration to Australia.