Increase in visa numbers is a positive sign

One of Australia’s leading immigration companies, ISA Group, has reported an increase in the number of enquiries it is receiving for Australian visas.  The increase is coming from both the corporate sector as well as individuals who are seeking to apply for an independent skilled visa.

According to ISA Group Director, Noelene Merrey, the growing interest is a positive sign that the economy is on the road to recovery.

“While there’s no denying that some industry sectors are still feeling the impact of the global financial crisis, many large projects are starting to kick-off, particularly in Western Australia, which have the potential to lead to a skills shortage similar to what was experienced leading up to the financial crisis,” said Noelene.

“The oil and gas sector in particular is bringing in a lot of highly skilled workers to work on offshore rigs and other vessels.

“There are still plenty of opportunities for people with skills in demand to apply for independent skilled visas, which means they do not have to identify an employer before they can migrate to Australia.  In particular, if people have a skill that is in demand in Western Australia, it is possible for people to apply for a state-sponsored visa. These types of visa applications receive a priority that can save months, if not years, over a general skilled visa application that is not state-sponsored.