The Skills Australia Needs information session that will take place in Athens on October 8 and 9, requires Greek citizens who are interested in migration to Australia to register online in order to be considered. Only professionals whose skills fit the Australian Government’s Skilled Occupation List are invited to register.
The information session is being organised by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The event will provide an opportunity for skilled workers with occupations in demand in Australia to hear directly from DIAC about skilled visa options for Australia and potential employment and sponsorship opportunities.
The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) reveals that Australia is currently targeting skilled migrants from 193 professions. Skilled workers in health, engineering, automotive, construction, electrical and mechanical trades, who are considering attending the Athens info session, are encouraged to register an expression of interest.
Attendance is free of charge and by invitation only. Invitations will be issued by email later this month, and information on venue and attendance times will be provided to invitees at that time. Neos Kosmos understands from sources in Greece that over 15,000 people have already registered online to be considered for the information sessions.
DIAC says places are limited and the final selection of invitees will be based on skills, experience and qualification in the highest demand areas. People who wish to submit an expression of interest to attend the information session must meet the standard qualification for consideration eg be under fifty-years-old and have high proficiency in English.
One of the major industries in need of skilled migrants is health. According to the SOL, sixty-four of the occupations included are for specialist doctors. These include specialists such as pathologists, urologists, obstetricians and endocrinologists. Nurses, midwifes and other health service provision occupations are also in demand.
Skilled workers for the construction industries have also been identified as key targets, with more than thirty occupations appearing in the SOL, from architects, engineers to builders, plumbers, and electricians. Engineers with experience in mining, aviation, shipping and telecommunications are also listed. Education has been identified as an area where skills shortages exist. School teachers and teachers of special needs categories are also listed in the SOL, which is reviewed annually by Skills Australia.
A DIAC spokesperson told Neos Kosmos that expressions of interest from prospective employers are invited, and that companies (or their representative agents) wishing to be represented at the Athens sessions, should contact the department immediately on skill.expos@immi.gov.au This contact email address is only for prospective employers.
DIAC announced earlier this year that the skilled migrant intake for Australia will increase to over 125,000 places, with 16,000 allocated to the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS). Applicants for employment in regional Australia under the RSMS will have priority, in terms of processing over other visas.
Individuals wishing to submit an expression of interest to attend the sessions in Athens on October 8 and 9 must register online at www.skills-australia-needs.com
