今朝のシドニーモーニングヘラルド の記事から抜粋です。

http://www.smh.com.au/national/immigration-to-cut-10-of-jobs-20090430-aozi.html?page=-1

– ONE in 10 jobs is expected to be slashed from the Immigration Department in the federal budget on May 12. Despite the recent surge in asylum seekers arriving in boats, about 700 jobs will be cut from the department, which has 7000 staff in 100 locations in Australia and throughout the world.

– With a reduction in the skilled migration intake, it is believed many of the cuts to Immigration Department staff could fall in the visa processing areas.

– Less than a year after increasing the skilled migrant intake to record levels, the Government responded to the global financial crisis by reducing the intake from 133,500 to 115,000 for the 2008-09 financial year. It is believed the number will be cut further in the budget to less than 110,000 next financial year.

– Employer applications for 457 visas have also fallen because of the global financial crisis. The number of temporary skilled migrants entering Australia fell by 35 per cent in March.

(Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, 1/5/2009)