YOU MAY HAVE seen the above ad pop up on your Facebook news feed over the past four weeks? If so, you are probably living in Ireland and are under a certain age.
Despite the tens of thousands of Irish workers already in situ across the country, the Australian government is still looking for more talent from Ireland.
In February this year, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship began a social media campaign to market Australia as a “destination of choice for skilled migrants in occupations in demand”. Trained healthcare workers, engineers and other trades people are the most wanted, particularly in Western Australia.
The campaign is due to run until 30 June this year and includes Google and Facebook advertising in Spain, Singapore, the US, the UK, Malaysia, Poland, the Philippines, Turkey, Italy and Ireland.
However, Ireland has been chosen – along with the UK and USA – for extra targeting. Promoted Facebook posts – which pop up on your feed because the advertiser has paid the social network to target people in your category – were implemented in the three countries from 8 April.
In less than four weeks, the Facebook campaign has seen some interest. In total, 56,500 have clicked through to read the full details and 884 people have ‘liked’ the posts. The ads have achieved more than 7,500 actions, according to a spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Between 1 July 2012 and 31 March 2013, Irish people accounted for third highest number of 457 Visa applications for skilled workers. A total of 7,970 were granted, an 8.3 per cent increase on the previous period.
During the financial year of 2011-2012, there were 4,578 Irish-born “permanent additions” to the Australian resident population. A total of 4,938 Irish nationals were granted a permanent visa during the same 12 months, with the “Skilled Stream” accounting for 83 per cent of visas granted.
In the same year, 82,881 temporary entry visas were given to Irish nationals. These included visitors, and those intent on a working holiday.
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