For Australian businesses needing to recruit highly-skilled workers where businesses have been unable to fill positions from within Australia, employer sponsored arrangements exist for:

• temporary visa (for up to 4 years)

• permanent migration

The eligibility criteria is almost identical as that for Skilled Migration, however, the majority of these opportunities are in regional Australia.

On the 1st November 2005 the new Trade Skills Training visa will come into effect.

The visa will enable non-citizens to undertake apprenticeships in regional Australia in trade occupations experiencing skills shortage

Applicants will be granted a temporary visa and on completion of the apprenticeship have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence.

The intended apprentice must:

• be sponsored by the employer

• 18-35 years of age

• vocational English

• hold appropriate education and skills

• have the financial capacity to meet apprenticeship tuition costs etc.

Family members of apprentice (spouse and dependent children) are able to accompany the apprentice to Australia.

Interested individuals and employers are encouraged to register online or contact one of our offices.