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Despite the global economic downturn there are many areas of Australia still looking to grow. However this growth depends heavily on attracting skilled overseas candidates to fill key vacancies. These areas are not in the Metropolitan districts of Melbourne, Sydney, Perth or Brisbane but are smaller cities within easy reach of these districts and offer fantastic lifestyle opportunities and a high standard of living.
Earlier this year the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) cut the migration program for the period 2009/10 by 14%. However despite this, the slowdown of the economy and increased levels of unemployment there is still a skill shortage in many areas of Australia.
Joanne Roberts founder of Next Step Australia comments “We have employers in Australia desperate to find individuals with key skills. Many regions of Australia continue to grow their economies despite the global down turn however the growth of many areas of Australia is heavily dependent on attracting skilled migrants to fill vacant positions.”
Another issue is that the majority of people looking to move to Australia focus on the major cities of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth unaware of the fantastic cities in regional Australia offering great lifestyles and crying out for skilled workers to support key industries.
Many of these opportunities are in towns and cities in regional Victoria. Victoria located in the south east of Australia is roughly the size of Britain and all regions are in easy reach of the metropolitan district of Melbourne.
Geelong with its 137,220 strong population is Victoria’s second largest city situated on the Coast 72km from Melbourne and surrounded by some of Victoria’s most beautiful landscapes. Geelong offers the perfect Australian lifestyle with its mix of inner city, suburban, coastal and rural areas together with a strong economy, employment opportunities, state-of-the-art healthcare and educational resources and a vibrant multicultural community.
Opportunities in Geelong exist for key medical professionals including Nurses, Radiographers/Sonographers, Health Information managers, Theatre Technicians, GPs, Podiatrists, Bio-medical Engineers, Pharmacists, Dentists, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists and Speech Pathologists.
Ballarat is Victoria’s largest inland city just 110km from Melbourne. It’s beautiful Victorian buildings and wide, tree-lined streets serve as a reminder of the town’s proud history as a major source of wealth and employment for Victoria. Ballarat offers people a rich heritage, contemporary urban lifestyle and a diverse range of outdoor activities as well as schools at all education levels including two universities.
As one of Australia’s fastest growing cities Ballarat’s economic growth depends heavily on finding skilled migrants to fill vacancies for GPs, Medical specialists, Allied Medical Professionals, Engineers, Accountants, Urban and Regional planners and Computer Programmers.
Many areas of Western Australia also have critical skill shortages. Western Australia has led the nation in economic growth with its diverse and internationally competitive economy in the last 10 years.
The Wheatbelt region comprises an area almost two thirds the size of the UK at 155,000 square kilometres. The region sits below Perth in the mid south-west of the region and is home to more than 72,000 people making it the third most heavily populated region in the State. The region has extensive educational, health, recreational and cultural services and also offers affordable housing and business premises.
Opportunities currently exist for Abattoir Workers, Accountants, Diesel Mechanics, Electricians, Heavy Machinery Mechanics and Registered Nurses.
Peel is the fastest growing region in Western Australia and lies immediately south of the Perth Metropolitan area. It covers an area of 5,600 square kilometres and includes more than 130 square kilometres of estuary and inland waterways. It is a region of incredible contrasts with beaches bordering the Indian Ocean, a large expanse of forests and rolling farmland.
The population of Peel is expected to double over the next 10 years as major investment takes place in natural resources and infrastructure projects. Skill shortages currently exist in the area for Bricklayers, Carpenters, Chefs, Electricians, GPs, Motor Mechanics, Registered Nurses, Urban and Regional Planners and Welders.
Next Step Australia is keen to encourage people to consider these regional areas of Australia and take advantage of the career and lifestyles opportunities available to them and their families in these regions.
They will be holding events in London, Birmingham and Leeds over the next 6 months in order to promote these opportunities and others across Australia. At the free event you will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the Australian Government migration units about life in regional Australia, Immigration 2 Oz providing free advice on your visa options and also speak with a panel of experts about banking, money exchange, pet relocation, international removals, pension transfer and Travel.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
