Australia Job Expo in Houston, Texas USA 19 and 20 May 2012

Recognising the increased demand in the next three to five years for skilled plumbers, electricians and construction workers for Australian resource sector projects, the Australian government recently announced a number of changes to simplify the process for US tradespeople to work in Australia.

Currently US trades people can wait in Australia for months before they are issued with licenses that allow them to work in a trade and they face the risk of being rejected if their skills don't meet Australian standards. With the new measures, American workers in licensed occupations such as electricians and plumbers, will be assessed while still in the USA for receiving provisional Australian licences when they arrive.

In addition, the skills assessment process will help Australian employers determine if the skills of the workers are appropriate to their needs.

Accordingly, in a recent government announcement, both Australian and American officials recognise the potential to match that demand with the supply of workers in the U.S.

In promoting the initiative, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship will host a Skills Australia Needs event in Houston, Texas, the United States of America on the weekend of 19 to 20 May 2012 targeting skilled workers in the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors. Targeted occupations in these sectors for the event currently include:

• engineering professionals
• automotive, construction, electrical and mechanical tradesworkers.

This initiative will provide information on skilled visa options to Americans with suitable qualifications, skills and experience and help them to work in Australia under a temporary employer-sponsored visa.

The department will invite skilled workers to attend the event after a pre-screening process.

Skilled workers who meet the following criteria may be invited to attend the event:

• be under 50 years of age
• have good English language skills (both written and verbal)
• have an interest in living and working in Australia (either temporarily or permanently)
• have qualifications and/or work experience in an occupation in demand in Australia. These include engineering professions and selected trades in the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors targeted.

Attendance at Skills Australia Needs events is free of charge. However, attendees need to cover any travel or accommodation costs associated with attendance.

If you are interested in Australian visas , contact a Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try its visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Australia.

Skilled workers who are interested in attending the event are invited to register their interest to attend. For more information on the event including how to register your interest to attend see: http://www.immi.gov.au/skillevents/skilled-workers.htm