Visas to Australia have been increased by 300,000 in Australia’s labour party budget for 2008-09 in a bid to reduce the shortage of labour in Australia.

This increase in Australian visas was revealed by Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan and is the biggest yearly increase ever of permanent and temporary visas in Australia’s migration programme.

The increase in Australian visas allows for an extra 31,000 skilled migrant visas, and more than 150,000 other permanent migrant visas to Australia such as family and spouse visas, plus 100,000 new temporary work visas. It is a move expected to help address the shortage of skilled workers in Australia. In addition, training and education initiatives have been introduced to help this skills shortage.

The immigration minister for Australia, Senator Chris Evans, said that in his view Australia was not only facing a skills shortage but also a labour shortage. He went on to explain that the labour shortage was being experienced in every industry and not just in the fields needing skilled and professional workers. Industries such as truck drivers, store managers and lower class jobs in mining are examples of where the shortages are being experienced.

For those thinking about moving to Australia, there has never been a better time or more opportunities than there is today.

The best way to find out about whether a move to Australia is for you, why not get an online travel visa to Australia and go see what it’s all about.

For more information go to www.immi.gov.au