Accountants lead list of skilled emigrants to Australia

Accountants lead the list of skilled professionals emigrating to Australia for new job opportunities, fresh information from the Australian government reveals.

Other leading occupations for skilled migrants were computing and nursing.

Britain (24,800), India (15,865), China (14,688), South Africa (4,293) and Malaysia (3,838) were the leading sources of skilled workers.

In a statement Australian immigration minister Kevin Andrews said: "The reality is we face a shortage of workers in Australia.

"Australia is competing for skilled workers with Europe, the US, Canada and New Zealand.

"We simply have to ensure that we build a productive nation where business can continue to thrive into the future."

Almost 150,000 foreigners were granted permanent visas to live in Australia last year, with skilled migrants making up two thirds of that total with an average age of 31.

The government quota for skilled migrants in 2007-08 is 102,500.