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HEALTH MAIN TEMP SKILLED EMPLOYER THE health sector has become Australia's main user of temporary skilled migrants - those holding the 457 visa.The figures on the number of visas granted in 2005-06, show 5680 primary visas (excluding dependants) were granted to temporary skilled migrants in 2005-06 to work in the health and community services sector across Australia - most of them nurses and doctors. The sector takes over from the property and business services sector as the biggest user of temporary skilled migrants. The trend was repeated across all states, with health and community services the highest 457 user by industry sector except in Western Australia where mining was number one and in New South Wales where communication services was on top. "These figures underscore the importance of the temporary skilled migration programme to the provision of essential services, like health and education as well as the key role skilled migrants play in critical industries like manufacturing, mining, construction and agriculture," Minister for Immigration, Amanda Vanstone, said in releasing the latest data on temporary skilled migration. "The number of visa grants has more than doubled in Queensland and Western Australia and Tasmania, while there has been steady growth in other states. The Northern Territory almost doubled the number of visas granted, albeit off a much smaller base. "Nationally, there were 39,530 primary 457 visas granted in 2005-06 - up from 27,350 the year before. An additional 32,000 visas were granted to dependents of primary applicants - many of whom also bring skills to Australia. "New South Wales is still bringing in far more temporary skilled migrants than any other state or territory - although its rate of growth is well off the pace set by Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. "The figures also confirm that State Governments are big users of the visa - nationally accounting for about 10 per cent of all temporary skilled visas granted in 2005-06." The Minister said overall the figures showed the visa was meeting its target - with average salaries of more than $66,000 an indicator that the visa is used to bring in highly skilled people to meet the shortages that go hand in hand with the sustained economic growth enjoyed under the Coalition Government. "A key aspect of the success of our temporary skilled migration programme is that about 20 per cent of 457 visa holders obtain permanent residence," the Minister said. Temporary skilled migrants are the best source of permanent migrants because they already have a job, have already settled into Australia and have already been contributing to our economy and community for some time." |
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