Push to get out: Greek migration to Australia on the rise

More than double the amount of permanent migrant visas were issued for Greek nationals in a year, says the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
The numbers validate the trend of Greek nationals prospecting a new home away from the financially burdened Greece.
With unemployment surpassing 22 per cent, the desperation to leave is reaching new heights.
In total, 279 Greeks were granted Australian permanent migrant visas from July 2011 to April 30th this year and most of the immigrants have headed to Melbourne.
Sydney-based Greek migration agent George Katsaromitsos says he has received up to 150 enquiries from Greeks wanting to come to Australia in the last two months.
"It's hard to put a number [on enquiries], because it's increasing all the time," Katsaromitsos said.
"They call from Greece, they just want to know about life in Australia, what's happening, if they can get a job if they come."
In the past year the biggest group of Greek migrants has been between the ages of 22 and 40.
Not covered by the pension yet and most a risk of losing their jobs or entering a workforce that cannot accommodate more, Australia's steady job market is catching their eye.
In recent years, Australia's job market has been a big draw for Irish workers looking to escape their economic woes, and now the same can be said about Greece.
Greeks are looking to move not just themselves, but their families too.
Out of the 279 permanent migration visas issued from July 2011 to April of this year, 253 of them were classified as "family" visas.
Those who have not been granted permanent visas are seeking student visas as away to get on the governments radar.
102 Greek nationals were granted Australian student visas in 2011, up over 52 percent from the previous year according to Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
In December last year, after eight months of being unemployed, Dimitrios Lazaridis left his wife and two children behind in Athens and moved to Australia on a student visa.
As a factory owner in Greece, Albania and Bulgaria, Lazaridis is now working part time for a fish market wholesaler and studying English.
"You know it's very difficult if you're in Greece, you have a family, you stay in your home and you cannot do anything," Mr Lazaridis said.
"It's terrible, believe me."
For Greek nationals, Australian working visas require sponsorship prior to entering the country. Skilled migration visas are limited to people who are skilled in occupations that Australia has a shortage in. Visas can take up to 36 months to process and can cost over $4000.
Source: CNBC