Australia's Booming Economy and Shortage of Workers Attract Greeks - WSJ.com: SYDNEY—Facing an uncertain economic future at home, more Greeks are making the 20-hour trip to Australia in search of work.
Short-term arrivals of Greek citizens are up 21% to about 4,000 people in the six months ended Nov. 30, compared with the period two years ago, according to Australia's statistics bureau. The latest number marks the biggest half-year inflow in that period in a decade.
Unlike Greece, with its 17% unemployment rate, Australia's economy is thriving. A mining boom fueled by demand from China has led to a shortage of skilled workers and a 5% jobless rate.
The Australian government is easing work-permit requirements to attract about 125,000 skilled immigrants over the next year to fill gaps in the current work force. Even truck drivers in Western Australia's remote mines are earning annual salaries of US$200,000.
Australia is a natural destination for Greeks following a wave of emigration there after World War II. Australians of Greek origin now account for about 360,000 out of a total population of 22 million. It is the fourth-largest Greek community outside Greece after the U.S., Cyprus and the U.K., according to the 2006 census.
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