Shell Australia Chairman believes regional migration is key to resource sector growth

While the media continues to scrutinise the Australian immigration program, recently at a Melbourne Mining Club conference, Shell Australia chairman Andrew Smith, emphasised the importance of immigration in boosting resource industry and economic growth.

Mr Smith said, ‘Often hysterical debate has surrounded Australian immigration in the new millennium. There has been a failure of industry to advocate for an immigration program that will provide economic stimulus to a sluggish economy.’

Mr Smith believes skilled labour shortages in the resources, oil and gas industries in regional areas in Australia’s north such as Broome and Gladstone provide potential for skilled migrants to contribute to growth in the resource industry and the Australian economy.

‘Today Australia’s economic growth is being driven by Melbourne and Sydney with their diverse economies. But as we strive for a more prosperous Australia, we must increase immigration levels and grow population in other areas of the nation. We must look to the economic potential of our regions and our regional centres. And this is where the mining and petroleum sectors can have a great contribution. As a leader in the resource sector, it is the ability of our industry to make a contribution outside the capitals that excites me most,’ he said.

Mr Smith stated, ‘This will only happen when we grow the population with a mix of internal and international migration to the regions’.

Mr Smith also highlighted the important role immigration plays in driving sustainable population growth to regional areas, providing incentives for the government to invest in regional community infrastructure.

Mr Smith said, ‘Just as Bendigo’s growth was fuelled by an influx of Asian immigration in the 1850s, or nearby Geelong’s growth was fuelled by Italian and Greek migration in the 1950s, the north of our nation must welcome new Australians.’

‘Industry leaders need to both advocate for a balanced mix of skilled and humanitarian migration, then back up our advocacy with meaningful decisions that contribute to legacy. It is only through population growth that economic diversity will be delivered, unlocking the potential of Australia’s north,” he said.

Mr Smith added, ‘These comments are not a call for more or less 457 visa intakes. Specialised tasks in highly technical sectors like ours will always require the temporary importation of specific skills. We have some of the planet’s most desirable mineral deposits but we will only unlock this potential, and its economic dividend, if we are able to bypass populist protectionist voices on immigration policy, and grow our population’.

SOURCE: The Australian newspaper

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Use of Labour Agreements – 457 Visas

Standard 457 applications involve the sponsoring employer nominating an occupation contained on a list known as the Consolidated Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

It sometimes occurs that a sponsor wishes to nominate an occupation which is not listed on the CSOL, in which case the standard 457 programme is not appropriate.

In situations such as this, the business may wish to give consideration to applying for 457 visas under what is known as a Labour Agreement. These agreements can be utilised in respect of skilled and semi skilled positions if it can be shown that there is a clear lack of available employees in the local labour market. For example, many abattoirs bring meat workers into Australia under Labour Agreements as there is a big shortage of people with the necessary skills to properly bone and slice meat.

The starting point in applying for approval of a Labour Agreement is to be able to demonstrate that there is a skills shortage in the relevant industry. It is also necessary to show what efforts have been taken to obtain suitably qualified persons and what training programs the employer has in place should such persons be found. It is also often necessary to enlist the support of peak body groups or unions where appropriate.

In the past there has been some reluctance on the part of employers to seek to enter into Labour Agreements – probably largely due to the perception that negotiating with a government department is a difficult thing to do. While there may be some truth in that, the department does make it clear that it is open to consider applications, and usually a well-documented case can be finalised within 80 days and even sooner, if urgent.

Nevett Ford lawyers has experience with preparation of labour agreements and would be happy to assist employers who may wish to investigate this option.

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Stop Attacking Skilled Migration - Minister for Australian Immigration, Scott Morrison MP

DIBP Minister, Scott Morrison, has called on the Labor Party to stop attacking skilled migration, following a recent change to the sponsoring of 457 visa holders.

The change in question, described by Minister Morrison as being “quite minor”, involves approved sponsors of 457 visas having to fill out less paperwork when they have reached a certain number of employees, and instead, every 457 employee must satisfy the current tests required when finding an Australian to do the job first. His defence of such a change was that it will save the time of busy employers by removing additional paperwork in order to find an overseas worker to do the job available that could not be filled by an Australian resident.

With unemployment rising, the unions and the Labor Party haven’t taken the change well, with leader Bill Shorten attacking skilled migration. Meanwhile, Morrison claimed that “there should be a unity ticket on skilled migration in this country, but clearly there isn’t, the Labor Party is still going to oppose it.”

If you have any questions or require advice about your eligibility to apply for Australian permanent residence or a temporary skilled visa, please contact Ryan Curtis-Griffiths at Nevett Ford Lawyers Melbourne by telephone: +61 3 9614 7111 or by email: rcurtisgriffiths@nevettford.com.au or any other member of the immigration law team.

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Nurses - Australia needs you

Sitting high up on the Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL), nursing is high in demand across Australia.

With Registered Nurse positions needed in the fields of Mental Health, Surgical, Paediatric, Child and Family Health, Community Health, Critical Care and Emergency and Disability and Rehabilitation, there are many more fields that are in demand in Australia.

Nursing salaries in Australia generally sit between $AUD75,000 – $AUD85,000 – (higher than the UK average salary within the nursing field). Throughout the medical field there is also a high demand for surgeons, as well as Neurosurgeons, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Urologists, Dermatologists, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

With jobs available throughout the medical field in Australia, you could be on your way to securing a permanent Australian visa and a whole new lifestyle.

If you have any questions or require advice, please contact Ryan Curtis-Griffiths at Nevett Ford Lawyers Melbourne by telephone: +61 3 9614 7111 or by email: rcurtisgriffiths@nevettford.com.au

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