Work in West
Australia - Carmela Bignotia, Jul 12, 2007
Perth, the capital city of Western
Australia is quickly becoming a favorite destination for Filipino
workers. This is because of the various opportunities for employment for
skilled and professional foreign workers here. The manufacturing
industry as well as the mining companies in Perth is growing. The region
is also experiencing a major skills shortage making it a hot destination
for skilled migrants. The city is also competitive in the areas of
education, health and biotechnology, building and construction,
information technology and engineering.
General Information:
Population: estimate of 1.5 million people (more than 30% are born
overseas)
Climate: more hours of sunshine than any other capital city in Australia
Lifestyle: Sophisticated yet uncomplicated
How to Migrate
The Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
offers various ways for a foreigner to acquire a visa in Western
Australia. One can apply either for a State/Territory sponsored visa, or
through Federal visa programs.
Available visa scheme:
Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) Visa
State/Territory Nominated Independent (STNI) Visa
State/Territory Sponsored Business Visas
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) and Temporary 457
SIR and STNI Visas
For migrants to wok and live in Western Australia, they can apply for
the SIR and STNI visas. Managed by the Western Australian Skilled
Migration Centre (SMC), the two visas mentioned are designed to cope
with the labor shortages in the region.
STNI Visa:
Applicants for STNI visa must be 45 years old and below. English
proficiency and practicing a profession included in the State’s Priority
Skills List are the requirements for an applicant. This type of visa
provides permanent residency.
SIR Visa:
Applicants for SRI visa must be 45 years old and below. English
proficiency and has skills and work experiences that will be beneficial
to the economy of the region are the requirements . This type of visa is
valid for three years and may lead to permanent residency.
The applicants must be have knowledge, skills, and work experiences that
are included in the Skills in Demand List of Western Australia.
Unlike the Priority Skills List required for assessing STNI applicants,
the Skills in Demand List provides more opportunities for skilled
workers in a broader range of occupations.
Regional Sponsored Migration:
The STNI and SIR type of visa are government-sponsored migration.
However, an employer can also sponsor skilled migrants.
A company in Australia experiencing difficulty hiring staff from the
local citizens and granted an approval to recruit foreign workers would
be eligible to sponsor an applicant.
The sponsorship can either be a long term temporary or permanent basis.
This visa provides permanent residency for migrants in any of the
regional areas of Western Australia.
The skilled visa classes are usually limited to professions with
trade/diploma level qualifications and above. However, owing to the
skill and labor shortages in regional WA, it is possible for regional
employers to request a waiver on the skill level. Each of the Regional
Development Commissions facilitates the Temporary 457 and RSMS schemes.
For more information about migration in Australia, please inquire at the
Australian Embassy in the Philippines:
Chancery: H.E. Ruth Pearce
Address: 1st-5th Floors, Doña Salustiana Dee Ty Tower, 104 Paseo de
Roxas
Makati City 1200
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1071 Makati Central Post Office, Makati City
Tel. No: 757-8100 (Switchboard)
Fax No: 757-8268 (Admin)
Website: http://www.australia.com.ph
Watch out for the next article that will list various job opportunities
in Perth, West Australia
