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A BOOMING computer technology sector is pushing the Federal Government's hand in making more skilled temporary visas available to attract people from around the world.
Recent comments by Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock indicate a major change in the way the Federal Government perceives the issue, industry observers say.
In an article for Liberal MP Chris Pyne's journal Options, Mr Ruddock says the changing nature of work - particularly in the IT sector - requires an increased emphasis on temporary workers, rather than on permanent migrants.
Short-term visas, typically used by IT workers on contracts, have become increasingly popular, Mr Ruddock says. `'
As a result, Australians need to rethink how they view issues like permanent settlement.
His comments come after similar remarks by Communications Minister Senator Richard Alston, who told a Melbourne smart cards forum the IT industry needs easier access to overseas sources of skilled labour.
Alston called for a study into the possibility of further loosening restrictions surrounding temporary work visas.
"The visa requirements should be such as to encourage people to come here from around the world," Mr Alston says. I am particularly interested in reviewing the migration rules.
"I'm having a study done at the moment to see if there are any impediments."
The apparent shift in the Cabinet's position follows years of lobbying from key IT industry groups such as the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), and US moves to further relax its visa rules.
President Bill Clinton earlier this year proposed doubling the number of H-1B visas, potentially leaving 200,000 places open to IT industry workers.
Some 37,000 skilled temporary residents entered Australia in 1998-1999, with the IT industry consuming 25 per cent of those places.
Business (short stay) visas allow the holder multiple entries to Australia for up to three months at a time and are valid for up to 10 years, while business temporary entry visas allow employers to sponsor workers for longer periods.
Employers also have access to Labour Agreements, where employees can be recruited overseas for specific temporary vacancies, subject to negotiations between employers, government and unions.
Companies that establish their regional headquarters in Australia benefit from streamlined entry processing.
An adviser to Mr Ruddock says the popularity of temporary visas is increasing, with this year's numbers likely to show significant growth.
"We have seen strong growth in the temporary visa area," the adviser says. "The IT industry is using temporary visas strongly."
Most IT workers stay for between one and four years, with some later deciding to remain permanently, he says.
However few employers are aware that a 1995 review headed by Fujitsu chairman Neville Roach created a highly competitive temporary visa system.
"We are finding that employers don't know what they can do and what they should be telling their employees," the adviser says. "We are making employers more aware of what they are able to do."
Mr Roach agrees temporary entrants should never replace permanent migration.
But he says temporary entry is increasingly important to both businesses and individuals.
"You need to have an immigration policy for permanent migration, but you also need to have policies for temporary entry. They are complementary - you can't have one and not the other."
While hailing Mr Ruddock's remarks as a step forward, industry lobbyists say it is important businesses become more aware of the options available to them under the present immigration regime.
AIIA spokesman Michel Hedley says his organisation is in constant contact with the Immigration Department in an attempt to keep the industry informed.