The Australian 457 Visa has maintained its popularity, despite the Global Financial Crisis. According to Bruce Mills, CEO of 3W IT Consulting & Contracting, 457 Visas help close a yawning gap in the Australian skilled labour market.

Mr Mills pointed to Australian Government statistics showing an average of 430 primary visa applications were received weekly in the first three months of 2009.

“During 2007/08 a total of 110,570 temporary visas were granted to overseas workers and family members. In the previous year it was 87,310,” Mills said. “While it is true that enquiry levels are down on those numbers, the program is still popular among skilled migrants and employers alike.”

Senator Chris Evans, the Australian Government Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, had plenty to say on the popularity of the program. “In the six months to December 2008 the numbers of 457 Visa applications were running at historically high levels, with an average 700 primary visa applications a week lodged by people offshore seeking to come to Australia on a 457 Visa,” he said.

When asked about the drop in numbers this year, Senator Evans said that, “This shows the program is responding to the changing economic circumstances.” It is clear the Australian Government remains committed to the program and the benefits it affords employers.

Historically NSW has the highest number of 457 Visas, Perth coming in second. The most popular occupations seeking 457 Visas were typically registered nurses as well as information and computing professionals.

According to 2008 statistics analysed by the 3W Recruitment division, most skilled immigrants came from the UK, although 29% were from as far afield as India, the Phillipines, South Africa, China and the US.

Bruce Mills believes 457 Visas are a appropriate long-term solution to skills shortages in the Australian labour market.

“457 Visas meet the needs of both employers and immigrants. As such the program has clearly struck the balance between meeting the objectives of both parties, he said.