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