Novel program to bring educated Australians home

Updated December 3, 2008 11:03:19

The Australian government has voiced serious concern over the record number of educated young Australians who left the country permanently to live abroad this year. Figures released by the Immigration Department in October showed nearly 80,000 people - the majority from skilled jobs, and mostly aged from 25 to 54 - went overseas. Immigration minister Chris Evans warned the trend was worsening Australia's skills shortage. But there's one program here in Australia, which aims to send the best and brightest from the country abroad to study and attract them back home once their studies are finished. It's the Monash Foundation, and its annual awards have just been handed out to eight lucky winners.

Presenter: Sen Lam
Monash Foundation CEO Ken Crompton; Monash Award recipient Rebecca Nelson