South African Man is a Top Earner in Australia

Author: Australian
Cape Town - South Africa-born Allan Moss, who heads up Macquarie Bank - is now Australia's highest paid CEO, having earned more than A$33m (R195m) in 2007. Moss is widely credited with having turned Macquarie Bank from a minor player into an international powerhouse (www.moneyweek.com).

Such is the respect Moss has accrued over the years that he has acquired the title "Sage of Sydney", some labeling him an Australian Warren Buffet.

He is known for his humility and "bumbling professor" image, but underneath all this is a business genius who has managed to outwit many an international competitor (www.theage.com.au).

Another success story is South African born Gail Kelly, who has now become the most highly paid businesswomen in Australia and is ranked by Fortune magazine as one of the top 50 most powerful women in the world. She is also the first woman to head a top-ten listed Australian company.

Kelly immigrated to Australia in 1997 to join the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and worked her way through the ranks to the point where she will be taking over as CEO of Westpac Bank in February next year.

According to Oz-LifeStyle.com agency head, Mike Stowe, individuals such as Allan Moss and Gail Kelly represent the pinnacle of South African immigrant achievements, but they are not alone.

"In fact, the average 457 Visa skilled migrant's salary of A$70 000 (R413 000) indicates that the typical South African immigrant is likely to be an above average performer when it comes to earnings. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average Australian salary is A$57 000."

Faced with growing skills shortages - combined with an unemployment rate of approximately four percent - Australian businesses have increasingly sought qualified South Africans. Australia's robust economy, high GDP growth and low inflation and public debt, have meant that there are simply not enough Australians to fill job vacancies.

"South Africans are sought after by Australian firms because they possess a high standard of education along with a good work ethic, proficiency in English, and excellent industry or corporate training.

"Australian employees also know that South Africans adapt well to the Ozzie lifestyle and culture. Our warm climate, geographic beauty and diversity, suburbs, shopping centres, world class education and medical standards - are very similar." says Stowe.

Employment agencies throughout Australia offer countless job opportunities for South Africans, especially in "priority" fields.

"These 'priority' jobs are identified in Australia's immigration program. At present, there is an urgent need for people in IT (project and design programmers), retail (management and supervisors), the medical field, mining (engineers and surveyors), defence, industry (abattoir supervisors and workers, project and electrical engineers) and all trades." says Stowe.

The Australian Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC), announced earlier this year that people with trade skills were needed most, but also listed chartered accountants, medical professionals, welders and hairdressers as other skills that were in short supply.

The revamped "457 Visa", sponsored in part by prospective employers (who are responsible for return trip costs and medical expenses), allows employees and their families to stay in Australia on a temporary basis for four years. Permanent residence may be applied for after two years.

- fin24.co.za


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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - South African Man is a Top Earner in Australia

The 9 Ways to Emigrate to Australia

Author: Gordon Goodfellow
Ever wondered how to go about emigrating to Australia and go about getting an Australian visa? Wondering what the various options were and how to go about the different schemes without too much red tape or expense? There are lots of ways to emigrate to Australia.

This article spells it out in 9 easy stages.
1. The Australian economy has never been stronger and the Australian government are particularly looking out for skilled people with a specialization in many business and trade areas. In order to emigrate you could go the route of an expensive lawyer, or you could get the advice of specialist Australian immigration consultants to see if you qualify for Australian immigration eligibility.

2. If you are wondering about work skills needed to emigrate to Australia or qualifications needed to emigrate to Australia then it's worth bearing in mind that there is a points system for applying for what is known as the Skilled Visa. You can fill in an online form to see if you satisfy the Australian immigration points system as set out by the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMIA).

3. An Australia working visa. Managers, qualified professionals and skilled tradespeople are especially in demand under the Skilled Visa program. Schemes are available for skilled visas on a permanent or temporary basis, and are all based on points needed to emigrate to Australia as set out by the Australian Immigration Department. With the Australian job market advertising over 150,000 jobs each week and unemployment at its lowest in 10 years, being eligible for an Australia work visa has never been more possible. There is a huge demand in the plumbing, security, printing and the building trades in particular. However, despite the huge demand across the board there was a shortage of candidates for jobs in 2004.

4. An Australia working holiday visa. These are exactly what they sound like. There are many people who dream of being able to emigrate to Western Australia or, more specifically, emigrate to Perth Australia for the amazing weather and facilities there. If you are between 18 and 30 and are looking to spend 12 months in Australia then you may qualify for one of the many Australian working holiday visas that are available every year.

5. Family Visa. If you have an Australian partner, or members of your immediate family are permanently based in Australia then you may qualify for one of several family stream visas. Your application to emigrate to Australia can be done online. The Government of Australia encourages emigration in order to bring families together. Under the Family Visa Emigration Programme, migrants considering emigration must be sponsored by a close family member or fiancé(e) living in Australia. There are 4 schemes to choose from in order to find out if you are eligible for emigration. Select the one that best describes your situation. The sponsor must be either an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and would usually be 18 years of age or older.

6. Visitors and tourists. All travelers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before they travel to Australia. But now there is no need to worry about visiting the Australian Embassy or High Commission to get your visa. You can now get your visa online. If you are planning to travel to Australia as a visitor or even on a business trip then you may need either a visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). An ETA will allow you to spend up to 3 months in Australia and you are free to travel anywhere you like.

7. Business and investment visas. If you have had a successful business career either at a senior executive level or as an owner of your own business you may qualify for one of several visas under the Australian business visa program. Under the two-stage arrangements introduced on 1 March 2003, business migrants are granted a Business Skills (Provisional) visa for four years and, after establishing the requisite level of business presence required by the DIMIA or maintaining their minimum investment, are eligible to make an application for a Business Skills (Residence) visa.

8. If you are an employee who is headhunted or moved to your company's Australia office then you can apply under the Australia sponsored work visa. Your employer can effectively sponsor you for this by becoming your Australia Immigration Sponsor. Under this system, if you are an established professional, you can emigrate to Australia without a degree.

9. Retirement visas. If you wish to emigrate to Australia on retirement then you may be eligible for an Australia retirement visa given each year. If you are financially secure and would like to spend some of your retirement years in the warmer climates of Australia, find out if you qualify with our free online assessment.
There has never been a better time to emigrate to Australia or to apply for an Australia Work Permit or Australia visa application.


About the Author:
Gordon Goodfellow is a writer and Internet technologist. Amongst other things he advises on immigration to Australia.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The 9 Ways to Emigrate to Australia