| Cape Town - South Africa-born Allan Moss, who | | | | South Africans. Australia's robust economy, high GDP |
| heads up Macquarie Bank - is now Australia's highest | | | | growth and low inflation and public debt, have meant |
| paid CEO, having earned more than A$33m (R195m) | | | | that there are simply not enough Australians to fill job |
| in 2007. Moss is widely credited with having turned | | | | vacancies. |
| Macquarie Bank from a minor player into an | | | | "South Africans are sought after by Australian firms |
| international powerhouse ( | | | | because they possess a high standard of education |
| Such is the respect Moss has accrued over the years | | | | along with a good work ethic, proficiency in English, and |
| that he has acquired the title "Sage of Sydney", some | | | | excellent industry or corporate training. |
| labeling him an Australian Warren Buffet. | | | | "Australian employees also know that South Africans |
| He is known for his humility and "bumbling professor" | | | | adapt well to the Ozzie lifestyle and culture. Our warm |
| image, but underneath all this is a business genius who | | | | climate, geographic beauty and diversity, suburbs, |
| has managed to outwit many an international | | | | shopping centres, world class education and medical |
| competitor ( | | | | standards - are very similar." says Stowe. |
| Another success story is South African born Gail Kelly, | | | | Employment agencies throughout Australia offer |
| who has now become the most highly paid | | | | countless job opportunities for South Africans, |
| businesswomen in Australia and is ranked by Fortune | | | | especially in "priority" fields. |
| magazine as one of the top 50 most powerful women | | | | "These 'priority' jobs are identified in Australia's |
| in the world. She is also the first woman to head a | | | | immigration program. At present, there is an urgent |
| top-ten listed Australian company. | | | | need for people in IT (project and design |
| Kelly immigrated to Australia in 1997 to join the | | | | programmers), retail (management and supervisors), |
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and worked her | | | | the medical field, mining (engineers and surveyors), |
| way through the ranks to the point where she will be | | | | defence, industry (abattoir supervisors and workers, |
| taking over as CEO of Westpac Bank in February | | | | project and electrical engineers) and all trades." says |
| next year. | | | | Stowe. |
| According to agency head, Mike Stowe, individuals | | | | The Australian Department of Immigration & Citizenship |
| such as Allan Moss and Gail Kelly represent the | | | | (DIAC), announced earlier this year that people with |
| pinnacle of South African immigrant achievements, but | | | | trade skills were needed most, but also listed chartered |
| they are not alone. | | | | accountants, medical professionals, welders and |
| "In fact, the average 457 Visa skilled migrant's salary | | | | hairdressers as other skills that were in short supply. |
| of A$70 000 (R413 000) indicates that the typical | | | | The revamped "457 Visa", sponsored in part by |
| South African immigrant is likely to be an above | | | | prospective employers (who are responsible for return |
| average performer when it comes to earnings. | | | | trip costs and medical expenses), allows employees |
| According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the | | | | and their families to stay in Australia on a temporary |
| average Australian salary is A$57 000." | | | | basis for four years. Permanent residence may be |
| Faced with growing skills shortages - combined with | | | | applied for after two years. |
| an unemployment rate of approximately four percent - | | | | - fin24.co. |
| Australian businesses have increasingly sought qualified | | | | |