BRISBANE, Australia, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Queensland Government said on Friday that State Premier Anna Bligh was successful in securing support from the states and territories for a new three-year working visa for international graduates in areas of skills shortages.

Bligh said the move would help stop the recent decline in international student numbers and would also prepare the nation for the next mining boom.

"Today's agreement means not only growing Queensland's vital industries but ensuring we have the skilled workforce to do this," Bligh said.

The Premier placed the issue of international education on the agenda at Friday's Council of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra as a result of declining numbers of international students in recent years.

Bligh said states and territories have asked the Commonwealth to evaluate this idea to stop the fall in student numbers.

"Australia is on the cusp of a resources boom and we are facing a looming skills crisis," she said.

"We shouldn't be discouraging young, enthusiastic workers who are keen to fill these roles."

Bligh said the resources sector alone would generate 38,000 jobs in the next few years and unprecedented opportunities for Australian graduates in key disciplines such as engineering, environmental science, metallurgy, as well as law, hospitality, accounting and management.