British & Irish Dairy Farmers Urged To Apply For Australian Visas

Due to skills shortages in Australia British and Irish dairy farmers are especially in demand by Australian immigration as reported by David McCullough of the Scottish Farmer website. Dairy farming is listed on the country's Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List; the government is urging British and Irish dairy farmers to apply for Australian temporary skilled immigration 457 visas.

Charlie McElhone of Dairy Australia – the national services body for the country's dairy farmers - stated: "Australian, British and Irish dairy systems have many similarities, all being mainly pasture based (animals kept in fields)." McElhone acknowledged that there was already 'a strong British and Irish flavour within the Australian dairy industry, while UK and Irish labour is also commonplace across the sector.'