Labor shortage opens more job opportunities for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Australia according to the Philippine Embassy in Sydney. The report from the Philippine consulate said "An apparent skills shortage is driving Australian companies to hire skilled workers from other countries, and the Philippines is seen as a source country for needed workers."

However along with this news, the Philippine Embassy also reminded hopeful jobseekers to deal only with licensed recruitment agencies when seeking employment in Australia.

Apparently, the news that OFWs are in demand in Australia encourages unscrupulous individuals to pretend as legitimate recruiters and victimized innocent OFWs. The consulate said, “Illegally-hired foreign workers in Australia are exposed to abuses, hazards, and risks. If they are caught, they are deported and blacklisted from future re-entry into Australia."

Jobseekers should also be aware of the type of visa presented to them by recruiters and employers. According to the Consulate, "Filipinos being recruited for Australia must be aware of the type of visa that their recruiter is applying for them. The type of visa commonly issued to Filipinos hired for work in Australia is the 457 Visa."

Companies in Australia who wish to hire skilled foreign workers first needs an authorization from their government. If the Australian government grant them permission to hire OFWs, companies have two options in recruiting, either by direct hiring or seeking the assistance of licensed recruitment agencies in the Philippines.

The Australian government grants temporary business long stay visa or the Standard Business Sponsorship Subclass 457 visa to Australian companies for deployment of foreign workers.

The consulate said, “A Filipino who is recruited for Australian employment is matched to an Australian company that has been issued a 457 Visa. The Filipino worker receives the 457 Visa through the Australian Embassy in Manila."

Foreign workers with a “457 visa” are allowed to stay in Australia for six months to four years. On the other hand, this type of visa does not give the workers to gain permanent residency or migration status in Australia.

“Illegal recruiters often apply a victim for a tourist or short stay business visa, and instruct the latter to change his visa status to 3 long stay or even a permanent residency in Australia, However, such status changes are not usually allowed," according to the Consulate.

To avoid being a victim of illegal recruitment, take note of the following indications that you are dealing with an unauthorized recruiter.

• If you are to be employed in Australia for long-term work, you must be given a 457 Visa. Also do not accept a visa that is intended only for a Short-Stay Business Visa (also called the "456 Visa").

• If your purpose of coming to Australia is to work, then you must be given a tourist visa. An employer or recruiter that offers tourist visa to applicants means that there is no definite job offer in the country of destination.

• If a recruiter makes the applicant pay for Australian administrative fees and/or air travel to Australia, then the recruiter is violating Australian laws.

Additional reminder from the Philippine Consulate in Australia:

Australian law obligates the employers to shoulder administrative fees of applicants such as such as travel expenses of applicants.

The consulate said, “Any Filipino, who was recruited to work in Australia under a 457 Business Visa program and was compelled to pay processing fees or air travel to Australia by their recruiter or employer, may lodge a complaint with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) through its email address: nsw.457Jntegrity@fmmi.gov.au," the consulate said.

Also as of this writing there are no job openings for domestic helpers and farm workers in Australia.  “Any manpower agency that claims to be recruiting maids and farm workers for Australia is deceiving applicants," the consulate said.

Click here to view the latest job openings in Australia at workabroad.ph