Skilled migrants rush to Tassie

Regional visas up 200%

TASMANIA has seen a spike in skilled migrants flocking to its shores with 1180 people granted regional visas in just four months from July to November.

It’s a 200 per cent increase on the same period last year when 388 overseas workers were granted visas to Tasmania, new immigration figures show.

More skilled workers are expected to be drawn to the state under two new regional visas launching today.

The new visas require migrants to live and work in a regional area for three years before they can apply for permanent residency as part of a Federal Government reform to encourage skilled workers to live in cities and towns outside congested Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Brazilian expat Aline Fagundes, 36, who moved to Hobart last year, said she planned to stay in Tasmania for the island’s outdoor lifestyle, hikes and pristine beaches.

“I chose Tasmania because I used to live in New Zealand, it’s very similar. I’m a very outdoorsy person,” she said.

Applications open today for the two new visas, which will be granted to up to 25,000 people a year.

One visa is for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia, and the other is for skilled workers either nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member.

Migrants will be able to earn extra points on Australia’s skills test if they live and work in a regional area and applications will receive priority processing.

Immigration Minister David Coleman said the aim was to help smaller cities and regional communities access the skilled workers they needed to grow their businesses and boost their economies.

“By requiring migrants to live and work in regional areas for three years before they can get permanent residency, we are encouraging them to put down roots and settle in these areas long term,” he said.

“That is what our smaller cities and regional communities need.”

State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson said Tasmania had become one of the most desirable places to live in Australia.

“The significant numbers of people looking to call Tasmania home is both a reflection on, and contributor to, the ongoing strength of our economy and the enviable lifestyle we have to offer,” he said.

It showed Tasmania’s population growth strategy and Australia’s business and skilled migration programs were working, he said.

Nicole Leung-Mullany, director of Hobart-based migration agency Visakey Australia, said the boost in migrants being granted visas was likely due to changes in Tasmania’s policies three years ago.