Released on = October 17, 2006, 4:54 am

Press Release Author = Neoli Marcos

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = Officials from more than 25 Australian companies as well as
representatives from every state and territory government are en-route to the UK
today to prepare for a three-city series of expos, designed to attract potential
skilled migrants to Australia.

Press Release Body = Officials from more than 25 Australian companies as well as
representatives from every state and territory government are en-route to the UK
today to prepare for a three-city series of expos, designed to attract potential
skilled migrants to Australia.

Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs officials in Canberra and London
are coordinating the expos which will be staged in London, Manchester and Dublin
this month.

The Australia Needs Skills expo is part of a global campaign to recruit nearly 100
000 skilled workers to Australia this financial year.

Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Amanda Vanstone said the expos
would connect skilled workers in the UK and Ireland with Australian employers and
state and territory representatives who are attending.

\"The expos bring employers and employees together,\" Senator Vanstone said.

\"Employers will meet people with the skills and experience they need, while skilled
workers will have the opportunity to learn about visas and employment opportunities
in Australia.\"

More than 99 000 people have migrated to Australia since 2001 from the UK and Ireland.

\"British and Irish skilled workers have demonstrated they have the right skills,
qualifications and experience that Australia is seeking,\" Senator Vanstone added.

\"Skilled migration has clear economic and social benefits for Australia and the
Australian Government has a range of initiatives to attract skilled migrants,
especially to regional areas.

\"Through these expos, the Australian Government is working with industry to help
Australian employers access the skilled labour they need.\"

Employers unable to fill skilled positions can sponsor overseas workers through
programmes such as the employer nomination scheme, the regional sponsored migration
scheme, and the temporary business visa programme.

Last year, more than 16 000 people attended the skills expos in the UK, Europe and
India as well as in Melbourne and Perth.

The Australia Needs Skills expos will be held in London, October 14-15, Manchester,
October 17-18 and Dublin October 21-22.

- Senator Amanda Vanstone, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

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