Australia Plans to Hire Foreign Information Technology Workers

October 2007POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 23-07AUSTRALIA PLANS TO HIRE FOREIGN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WORKERSThe government of Australia plans to hire foreign IT workers for its public service projects in response to the country's acute technology skills shortage. The move was announced by Department of Finance and Administration Task Force, which also recommended that the government give clear advice to agencies on the process for engaging non-Australian citizens and that a whole government approach or means of streamlining the process should be initiated given the issues on the 457 visa scheme. The new position is a shift from Australia's previous position of not using foreign workers in government projects. The public sector is now keen to access the 457 visa scheme. The increase in the demand by the federal government for workers has resulted to labor shortages in critical areas and driven up costs in the local IT industry.The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney believes that the proposal to hire foreign IT workers will provide additional employment opportunities for Filipino IT professionals through the 457 visa scheme....