Number of approved Oz visa applications increases

Jobless Irish people are continuing to pour into Australia, with new figures confirming the number of approved visa applications from citizens here has increased.

The number of approved four-year “457 visas” — which are offered to skilled workers and their dependants who are sponsored by an Australian company — rose by 6% in the period from July 2012 to last May.

The stats, from Australia’s Department of Immigration, also show that more Irish emigrants than ever are attempting to move Down Under.

In the same period the number of people who applied for visas also increased by 6% — a figure which matches the rise in the number of approved visas.

As it stands there are currently 12,220 Irish nationals in Australia on 457-visas, while the number of new approvals between July 2012 and last May was 9,550.

Of that figure, 6,110 comprised primary applicants, while 3,440 were classed as secondary applicants.

As of last May, more than a tenth of all 457 workers in Australia were Irish nationals.

The top three industries for primary visa grants were construction, healthcare and social assistance, while cooks remain the most eagerly-sought professionals.

According to the Australia-based Irish Echo, Western Australia is the most popular destination for Irish workers, followed by New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

A total of 2,130 Irish people gained sponsorship in Western Australia in the latest period — that’s up 20% on the same times last year. Only Britain contributes more sponsored workers to this region.

Since last month emigrants have had to dig deeper into their pockets to move Down Under after the cost of applying for a temporary residence visa doubled from €350 (Aus$455) to €690 (Aus$900).