Working And Studying In Victoria And Melbourne
In recent years Melbourne has established itself on the map as a global business centre. Conveniently located in the Asia Pacific time zone, Melbourne is ideally placed and Australia is the first market to open each day, providing a time zone bridge linking the closing of the US and the opening of the European markets. With half of the world’s most expensive cities located in Asia, it offers an attractive alternative with a high quality lifestyle and competitive prices.
Melbourne’s economic and political centre is located with in the municipal boundaries of the City of Melbourne, which includes the central business district and some of Melbourne’s most historic suburbs and Southbank. The Port of Melbourne is Australia’s largest container port, handling almost 40% of the nation’s container trade as well as being one of the largest general cargo ports.
Cost Of Living
Melbourne is less expensive to live in than its rival Sydney but more costly than the other capital States. However, salaries should reflect this and there is a wide range of affordable and decent accommodation. It also has a fantastic range of free outdoor activities to take advantage of.
Quality Of Life
Quality of life in Victoria is extremely high with the Economist Intelligence Unit ranking Melbourne No. 1 as the most liveable city in the world. In addition to its pleasant climate and multicultural society, Melbourne offers residents world-class educational facilities, modern and efficient transport networks as well as unlimited leisure possibilities. It is a safe, clean and cosmopolitan city to live in and it is easy to understand why so many migrants are attracted to starting a new life there.
The Grey Worldwide Eye (January 2005) survey on Australia shows that Melbournians are the most content in the nation, with 63% satisfied with their life, compared with just 50% of Sydneysiders and a national average of 56%. ‘The results show that Melbourne offers a less stressful environment than Sydney – it’s easier to get around, the pressures of mortgages are less and we have more time to spend with family and friends.’
(Source
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au )
Employment Opportunities For Migrants
‘The State Government of Victoria has set a population target of six million people by 2025, and attracting skilled and business migrants to fill shortages will play an important role in meeting this aim’.Steve Bracks, Premier of Victoria Skilled and business migrants are warmly welcomed to Victoria.
If your occupation is on the Victorian Skills in Demand List they may be
able to help you move to this State via the Regional Skilled Migration scheme. You can check out the latest list of occupations in demand and further information at:
www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au Readers should note that within the metropolitan Melbourne area there is not a huge shortage of skilled workers, so it is unlikely that you would be able to migrate to the city under the Regional Skilled Migration visa. This scheme is in place to tempt workers into areas of the country where they are needed and these are usually outside of the major cities. However, you may be able to migrate under the Skilled Working Visa option.
To find out if your skills are in demand in Victoria click on to the Working in Victoria section of the above website.
At the time of writing this book, occupations in demand in Melbourne included mechanics, child care workers, civil engineers, medical staff and chefs.
Main Industries
Victoria’s great industry strengths are in agriculture, food, manufacturing, medical research, financial services, tourism and cultural industries. It is also Australia’s leader in the new, knowledge-based industries such as information and communication technology, biotechnology, professional services, design, advanced manufacturing and environmental management.
Victoria’s growth industries include:
- Information and communication technology (ICT). World-class research and development facilities and a highly ICT-literate domestic market have positioned Victoria as the ideal investment location for many ICT multinationals.
- Automotive. From design through to manufacture of cars, trucks and buses, Victoria accounts for almost 60% of Australia’s $10 billion automotive industry.
- Biotechnology. Victoria is home to the largest biotechnology company base in Australia.
- Manufacturing. Victoria accounts for almost one-third of Australia’s total manufacturing output.
- Financial services. Close to half of Australia’s financial services industry providers are located in Melbourne.
- Food. Victoria accounts for 82% of Australia’s dairy exports, and 52% of its processed fruit and vegetable exports. For more information, go to www.food.vic.gov.au