Australia aims to lure a new wave of '£10 Poms'

Doctors, nurses, painters and decorators are among those being encouraged to move Down Under to solve the nation's desperate labour shortage.

New rules from September 1 will offer an extra five points towards a visa for those who pass a basic English test.

Australia's Skilled Migration programme assesses applicants on age, qualifications, experience and English language ability.

But it apparently discriminates against British professionals aged 30 to 35, because they lose out in the age category.

Brits in Bondi Beach - there could soon be more from the UK hitting Australian shores

The government says the extra points for English speakers will cancel out this disadvantage.

Its aggressive recruitment drive is reminiscent of the 'Ten Pound Poms' scheme - named after the fare the migrants paid - under which a million Britons emigrated to Australia in the 50s and 60s.

Chris Cook of the Australian Visa Bureau, said: 'The Australian government realises it is lacking workers in many professions which it desperately needs to fill, so the country is throwing its doors open to huge numbers of skilled and experienced British people.

'Flights across are a little more expensive nowadays, but the government is as serious today as it was in the 1950s about getting skilled workers to its shores.' There are fears, however, that the scheme will hit services here already struggling under severe staff shortages.

A spokesman for the British Chambers of Commerce said: 'It is quite ironic that Britain's own skills shortage is currently being filled by migration from Eastern Europe.

'Most employers tell us they already find it very difficult to employ skilled British workers, so we would be surprised if there are many workers to take up the offer.' Among those Australia is seeking to attract are teachers, accountants, carpenters, engineers, plumbers, locksmiths and IT managers.

Mr Cook added: 'The implications of these changes are vast. The Australian government is looking for more immigrants than ever before.

'The changes are directed at those in the medical professions, IT and those in the trades, and making it easier for them to meet the minimum eligibility requirements.'