On June 15, the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV) Bill Papastergiadis, led a delegation to meet Federal Immigration Minister Chris Bowen MP, to discuss recent recommendations made by GOCMV to encourage migration from Greece to Australia.

The meeting with the minister and representatives of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) took place in Melbourne, and addressed a range of issues which GOCMV feels are crucial to smooth the path for Greek nationals wishing to migrate to Australia, and to remove perceived obstacles in the existing system.

The delegation which met the minister included: Elizabeth Hagiefremidis – Principal Consultant for BWP Consulting; Mike Zafiropoulos AM – Chairman of Melbourne Community Television Consortium (Ch31) and President of Fronditha Care; and Costas Marcos, Secretary to GOCMV, Peter Iasonidis, Coordinator of National Hellenic Council of Australia.

GOCMV’s Immigration Report, presented to DIAC prior to the meeting, spoke of how the economic crisis in Greece had led to a sharp increase in the number of highly skilled and educated Greek nationals seeking opportunities outside the country, and that the main destinations of choice for Greeks, include the United Kingdom, United States and other European nations. It also noted that there “has also been a significant rise in the number of Greeks seeking to work and study in Australia”.

The report proposes specific reforms to the Australian immigration process to further facilitate the entry of Greek visa applicants, and asked the minister to consider a number of key recommendations, including:

  • DIAC to assist GOCMV in establishing a task force that will assist skilled Greeks to make contact with Australian employers.
  • The creation of an Australian Skills Expo, to be held in either Athens or Thessaloniki.
  • The expansion of the Working Holiday Visa Program (for 18-30 year-olds) to include Greece.
  • Increasing DIAC’s human and other resources at the Australian Embassy in Athens, and further ensuring that the embassy is responsive to the needs of Greek nationals.
  • Promoting Australia as a quality study destination for Greeks.
  • Allowing GOCMV and sister organisations to become sponsors for Special Program visas and to invite Greek nationals to assist Greek language programs in Australia.

Following the meeting, Papastergiadis was optimistic at the prospects for action from DIAC. “The minister was appreciative of the work that had been put into the submission and acknowledged the need for some action, and for them to investigate what could be done.”

The GOCMV president added, “he was very open to the idea of the Expo concept, and pressing the issue further with the Greek Government regarding the bilateral arrangement needed for the Working Holiday Visa Program. We did raise the issue of the resourcing of the embassy in Athens, and he said that depending on the level of demand, that he would look at the issue of resourcing. The minister acknowledged that the issues we’re pursuing may have a commensurate effect.”

The next step in the process will entail the minister responding formally in writing to GOCMV.