Media Contact: Andrew Bibb
M: 0408734811 E: andrew.bibb@amma.org.au
Australian Mines and Metals Association
AMMA MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, 8 February 2010
RESOURCES AND ENERGY SECTOR WELCOMES SKILLED VISA REVAMP
The resource and energy sectors peak employer body, AMMA, today welcomed moves to focus on
attracting more highly skilled workers into Australia.
AMMA Chief Executive, Steve Knott, said there was currently a shortfall of skilled professional staff,
mechanical and electrical engineering personnel, as well as a shortage of other skilled trades in the
resource and energy sector.
"Growth in the resource and energy sector remains solid, particularly in areas such as north-
west Western Australia, so we welcome the decision to focus our immigration policy on skills that are
genuinely in demand."
"Currently, and in the years ahead the resource and energy sector will require thousands of skilled people
to work on a new projects including major oil and gas projects in Western Australia as well as other
projects in the pipeline, including the massive coal export opportunity in Queensland that was announced
on the weekend.” Mr Knott said.
Mr Knott said the changes announced by the Federal Government which applied to the general skilled
migration category, would result in more of these migrants going straight into a job.
"Previous arrangements often ended up with so called skilled migrants either ending up on social security
or working outside their qualifications in semi skilled work. The system was in need of change when the
most popular skill being relied upon to enter Australia was a hairdressing qualification,"
"AMMA made submissions to, and met with, the Minister for Immigration, Chris Evans, and highlighted
the flaws of the current regime and suggested amendments along the lines of those announced today."
“Accordingly, a more focused, demand driven approach where the skill possessed is one which is actually
in demand will lead to mitigating Australia’s skill shortage is welcomed and the Minister’s changes are to
be commended." Mr Knott said.
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