Released on = October 14, 2006, 6:50 am

Press Release Author = Neoli Marcos

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = Currently, British skilled workers such as nurses,
bricklayers, carpenters, chefs, mechanics, engineers, and hairdressers score the
most points for their Australian visa application precisely because their occupation
is in demand in Australia. To be included in the MODL list (Migration Occupations
in Demand for Australia) is a key requirement in Australian immigration system.

Press Release Body = Hawthorn, Australia, 14 October 2006--- More Brits chose
Australia as their immigration destination.

This is what a recent British poll has found out: Australia ranks as a top
immigration destination. According to the BBC and ICM-conducted poll, 13% of
Britons expressed their wish to migrate in the near future, and 40% percent named
Australia as their immigration destination of choice. Survey respondents cited
“warmer weather” and “low cost of living” as primary reasons for Australian
immigration.

Currently, British skilled workers such as nurses, bricklayers, carpenters, chefs,
mechanics, engineers, and hairdressers score the most points for their Australian
visa application precisely because their occupation is in demand in Australia. To
be included in the MODL list (Migration Occupations in Demand for Australia) is a
key requirement in Australian immigration system. The list changes depending on
where which labor industries are suffering the most skill shortages. Currently,
nine new professions have been added.

The Australian immigration system is points-based. Skilled migrants whose
occupation is on the MODL automatically earn bonus points and their Australian visa
application is fast-tracked. The points threshold for an Australian visa vary
anywhere from 70 to 120 points and for some sponsored Australian visas, no points at
all. Australian immigration is currently awarding 10 ‘extra’ points to applicants
willing to live in a regional area.

The Australian visa application process is done in two parts; a skills assessment
and application lodgment. At present, the process takes anywhere from 12 to 18
months depending on the complexity of the visa application. With online visa
applications, Australian visa processing is simplified for those not knowledgeable
about the immigration maze. Free online visa assessments, wherein applicants can
instantly determine their current Australian visa points, are undoubtedly beefing up
Australian immigration. Early this October, the Australian government has given
Registered Migration Agents the authority to certify Australian visa application
documents in behalf of clients.

For the financial year 2006-2007, the Australian Government is aiming at 144,000 job
slots for skilled migrants.

For a list of the most in-demand occupations in Australia, see
http://www.nationalvisas.com.au/employer/eligible457visaoccupations.htm

Web Site = http://www.nationalvisas.com.au

Contact Details = National Visas
Web site: http://www.nationalvisas.com.au
E-mail: webmaster@nationalvisas.com.au
Address: 3 - 118 Church Street
Hawthorn, Victoria
Australia 3122
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9697 4922
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9815 1544