In yet another migration story involving the global economic downturn, Australian Immigration has noted a sharp slump in the numbers of applications for 457 visas.

The number of employers applying to sponsor new migrants to live and work in Australia has fallen substantially since December, dropping by 23 per cent. With just 870 applications for 457 visas lodged by employers over the last two months, demand for the 457 visa is at its lowest for two years.
 

Individual 457 applications are also at a two-and-a-half-year low, down 21 per cent for the month of January, new Department of Immigration figures show.

However, despite a sharp decline in demand, Immigration Minister Chris Evans remains committed to attracting foreign workers to Australia in order to combat the country’s labour shortage and aging population.

“Clearly the demand for labour will reduce, so we’ll see lower migration levels next year both in the permanent and temporary programs. But I want to make it clear – these are, if you like, temporary settings. The longer term commitment to migration will remain,” Evans said.

Moreover, despite maximal efforts to avoid slashing Australia’s migration budget following a record migrant intake in 2008-9, Evans has made it clear that budgetary cuts will be inevitable this year.

Last month, Evans called for a more focused scheme for Australian immigration that acknowledges different levels of demand in a number of industries.
“The overwhelming message is that we need to maintain a skilled migration program, but one that is more targeted,” Evans said.

Evans’ voice was echoed by Council of Small Businesses chairman Bob Stanton, who has stated that a more focused migration scheme is what the government should be aiming for.

“With residents losing jobs at the rate they are, I don’t feel that we should have too much focus on skilled migration at all if there are Australians out of work. I think it’s something that needs to be looked at, to see whether it should be continued on the level that it has been in the past.

“I have heard numbers of reports where businesses which want or even need to reduce staff, they can’t because they have skilled migrants who are on a contract, or something similar, so it’s difficult for them.”