Sudan to Geraldton – 457 visa helps mechanic make the move

Photo produced courtesy of Geraldton Newspapers Pty Ltd.

Richard Sumner’s story is an example of one of the successes of the 457 visa program.

Richard was a qualified diesel mechanic living in Kenya, but when economic conditions worsened earlier this year, he was forced to leave his family to take up work in southern Sudan.

Richard's job involved repairing earth-moving vehicles, abandoned in militia fighting, and driving them back to base.

'Because of a lot of tension and fighting in that region, it was dangerous work. Some people were ambushed. I was luckier than some others I worked with, who were caught in the wrong place at the wrong time,' Richard said.

Australia’s temporary business entry (long-stay) 457 visa program allowed labour-hire company Workforce Solutions to help Richard and his family relocate to Geraldton in Western Australia.

In mid-August, Richard began work as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Corp, one of Australia's largest bulk logistics companies.

'The work is excellent here. Everyone is friendly and there is a focus on health and safety which is important,” Richard said.

'We feel much safer in Australia, even though we've only been here one month.

'My children have started school and my wife is happy. Our standard of living has gone from one extreme to the other and we don't worry about our security anymore. We're both sleeping better at night.'

General manager of Workforce Solutions Bill Gamack said being able to help families like Mr Sumner's to resettle in Australia was the best part of his job.

'Getting people like Richard out in the field is win-win because it also helps the employer keep up with demand, which in turn generates jobs,' Bill said.

Return to: Success Stories of Australian Migration