The Greeks are leaving for Australia.... again

Half a century ago, people from the Greek countryside were departing for Australia to work in mines, factories or even plantations. Today, this story seems to be repeating itself, but the immigrants are graduates and post-graduates who simply cannot find employment in Greece.

Australia might be a place far far away but for many Greeks, it is an example of a lifeboat, of flotsam in a turbulent sea. Many Greeks have relatives in Australia who have been there since the last wave of immigration decades ago. A characteristic sign of the times is that there are hundreds of messages being sent to Greek institutions abroad, on a daily basis. The messages are from professionals and scientists, who are interested to find out how they can move to Australia and work there.

The fact that they choose Australia is not just because of the aforementioned reasons. The country of Australia has not been hit as badly by the fiscal crisis, and today, it manages to maintain one of the best economies on the planet. It also requires specialized people who have the know-how and access to new technology.

Australia's doors are not that wide open, though. It takes strict stock of the number of immigrants it accepts. It also focuses on the specific specializations the country as a whole lacks in.

The professions required by Australia today are, among others: Chemists, Mechanics of the mining industry, Senior Corporation Managers, Geologists, Mathematicians, Pathologists, Ophthalmologists, Pediatricians,  Dermatologists, Hospital Chemists, teachers of all grades and degrees including special needs eachers, electricians, electronic experts, woodworkers.

The most basic requirement to obtain a green card is knowledge of the English language.

Whoever wishes to find out information will have to fill out a form at http://www.immi.gov.au/e visa/general-skilled-migration.htm

We should also point out that there are many job-finding agencies, including http://www.seek.com.au and http://www.mycareer.com.au

Those who apply to work in rural Australia, far from the cities (basically in the so-called "bush"), will be considered priorities. Western Australia also has a higher need for specialized workers, and apparently, pay is much higher there as well.

The best first step for anyone interested is to visit the Australian embassy in Athens, to receive further information.