Hi Jill
I was in contact with Booths last June about sponsorship as a truck driver when I got a reply from them stating that the government were not processing any applications for truck driving 457's until they had the results of a "Working Party" set up to look into the needs of the Aussie Transport Industry, due to publish it's findings towards the end of 2007 but doesn't seem to of yet. I contacted the then Minister for immigration Kevin Andrews for him to tell me that they were still processing 457 applications but they were coming under extra scrutiny and would probably go to Canberra for review! The Unions DO NOT want immigrant drivers and are opposing any form of visa's for Truckies as they are certain that it'll drive down wages and conditions. Similar has happened in the UK with the East Europeans and Polish drivers in my opinion?
There is a thread on British Ex Pats
Unfortunately – No Go with Australian Drivers for now !! : British Expat Discussion Forum The whole forum on Trucking Employment is a mine of information on the current situation regarding sponsorship if any one is interested.
I spoke to Jamie personaly at the Sandown show this year about the difficulties currently faced to which he did have a few ideas!
I myself spent 3 months in Qld last year trying to gain sponsorship, there are
loads of vacancies out there but mention the dreaded S word and they run for cover.
My own personal worry is paying out what is in fact a lot of money to different specialists (Recruitment Agencies etc: I know you're not one Jamie) only then to be told by the Government that you can't have a visa temporary or otherwise.
What is a shame is that if I wanted to go to Canada I could be out there on a Temporary Work permit in 6 wks with
PR in 9 months under the PNP program, just wish Oz was as easy!!!
Hope I didn't go on too much but this is my own experiences of the sponsorship route.
Alan