Immigration presents regional migration seminars27 May 2011
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be staging regional migration forums in major regional centres across Western Australia throughout the next month, to provide local employers with information on the skilled migration programs available to address their labour needs.
DIAC is delivering the forums in cooperation with the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development.
A departmental spokesman said the Australian Government announced as part of the Budget an increase in the skilled migration program and a range of new initiatives to help meet demand for skilled migrants in regional Australia.
“The skill stream has increased by 12 000 places on 2010-11 program planning levels, to 125 850 places and policy initiatives are being implemented to assist Australian employers, businesses and regional areas to better address their skill needs,” the spokesman said.
At the forums, employers can get an overview of skilled migration options or pathways available to those seeking to address skill shortages in regional and remote areas of the state across a range of industries.
The WA regional outreach officer will be available to answer questions regarding immigration issues and provide specific information on employer-sponsored migration options for temporary and permanent visas to address current and future skills shortages in the regions.
Employers may also request a private consultation to discuss issues such as:
- sponsorship of overseas workers through the 457 visa program
- permanent skilled migration options such as the regional sponsored migration scheme (RSMS) and employer nomination scheme (ENS)
- employing overseas workers and checking work rights of employees
- current and future options for sourcing semi-skilled overseas workers through labour agreements and regional migration agreements.
The dates and locations for the regional migration forums are :
LOCATION DATE TIME Northam May 31 7.30am Mandurah June 2 7:30am Albany June 8 7:30am Karratha June 16 7:30am Port Hedland June 17 7:30am Kalgoorlie June 22 7:30am Bunbury June 24 7:30am Exmouth June 28 5:30pm Carnarvon June 30 7:30am Geraldton July 1 7:30am For further information on the regional migration forums or to schedule an individual employer consultation in one of the above locations, please email roo.wa@immi.gov.au