Skilled workers, including overseas students, working holiday makers and other temporary residents who want to stay in Australia permanently, can explore their options at the Australia Needs Skills Expo in Sydney this weekend.

As a result of unemployment at a 30 years low, strong economic growth and an ageing population, Australia needs more skilled workers. In particular, there is demand in the health, IT, finance, trade and hospitality sectors, and the engineering, mining, oil and gas industries.

'Skilled migration has clear economic and social benefits for Australia and the government has a range of initiatives to attract skilled migrants, especially to regional areas,' Mr Andrews said.

'Through measures such as the Australia Needs Skills Expos, we are working with industry to help Australian employers connect with the skilled workers they need.'

Employers unable to fill skilled positions can sponsor overseas workers through programmes such as the employer nomination scheme, the regional sponsored migration scheme and the temporary business visa programme.

'I encourage overseas students, working holiday makers and other temporary residents to visit the expo to meet with employers, consulting companies, regional development boards, assessing authorities and government agencies,' the Minister added.

Seminars on migration and employment will be staged throughout the Australia Needs Skills Expo at Bayside Grand Hall, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour from 9.30am to 4pm on September 29. Entry is free.

For more information, visit www.immi.gov.au/skillexpos