Many South Africans might have felt disheartened when Australia announced its plans to abandon the 457 Visa, which allows skilled foreigners to live and work in the country. The idea behind the scrapping of this visa was to ensure locals received priority when it came to skilled employment and the current skilled work visa is being replaced with a much more stringent one.
Despite these plans, Australia still needs many skilled professionals and engineers are high on the list. Major infrastructure development across Australia has led to this demand, in particular the need for civil, structural, geotechnical and transport engineers. Civil engineers are the most scarce and are required across all Australian states, with most engineers being employed in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Two types of Australian visas engineers can consider:
- The Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa
This visa is available to all engineers, under the age of 31, who have graduated from a technikon or university. You don’t need any work experience for this visa, all you need is to have graduated in the 24 months in which your visa application is made. This visa allows you to take a dependent and young children with you and within 18 months you will be free to work in any part of Australia with absolutely no restrictions.
- The Skilled Independent Visa
The Skilled Occupation List has been abandoned and in its places it the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). As an engineer your profession will be on this list and you will earn extra points when you apply for this visa because your skills are in high demand.
Other professions in high demand
- Construction Managers: Along with engineers, large infrastructure projects has led to a strong drive for construction professionals, in particular, Construction Managers who will earn significantly more than the average pay rate in Australia.
- IT Professionals: Over the next 6 years the Department of Immigration expects to see a surge in demand for over 100 000 ICT professionals in Australia. Graduates and especially post-graduates are in strong demand to help grow Australia’s digitally-driven economy. ICT business analysts, computer network, systems and software engineers and developer programmers are all needed.
- Teachers: Australia is particularly looking for high school teachers followed by pre-primary and special needs teachers. The subject areas where there is a particular shortage is in maths, science and technology. Post-qualification work is not necessary for eligibility but it can assist in securing the points you need to apply.
- Tradespeople: As with engineers and construction managers, there is a nation-wide shortage of tradespeople in Australia. One trade area that is in particular need is electricians with Master Electricians expected to be one of the top 10 occupations to top the new jobs lists in Australia for the next five years. Trades people will need to have a trade qualification and five years of experience in their field – this can include their time spent during training. Other trades in strong demand include carpenters, motor mechanics, plumbers and metal fitters.
If you are thinking of immigrating to Australia and need any advice about your financial emigration, contact us today and we’ll help you on the path to financial freedom in your new home.
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