here a summary from my friend in AECC Global about the changes.
To all my friends who have been messaging and calling about the Australian government's announcement yesterday on changes relating to Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457)
Following the update on 457 visas, here is a look at how the new replacement scheme will work and what the announcement means for those currently on a 457 visa:
• The new visa program will include requirements around work experience, English language proficiency and labour market testing.
• The new visa will include a short term two-year stream with a broad list of occupations reduced from the current list of more than 200.
• A second visa class, focused on strategic, long-term skills gaps will have a four-year limit and require a higher standard of English than the two-year visa.
• Both visas will require a criminal record check, which is not currently required.
• The four-year visa would also require mandatory labour market testing in the majority of cases.
• The new two-year visa will not allow permanent residency.
• Anyone now in Australia on a 457 visa will not be affected by the new arrangements and will continue under their current conditions.
• The new scheme will require employers to advertise jobs before filling them with foreign workers.
• A fee of $1,150 will apply for the short term visa, while medium-term applicants will pay $2,400.
• A non-discriminatory workforce test to ensure employers are not actively discriminating against Australian workers.
• Strengthened requirement for employers to contribute to training Australian workers.
• The Department of Immigration and Border Protection will collect Tax File Numbers and data will be matched with the Australian Tax Office’s records.
• Eligibility requirements for employer sponsored permanent skilled visas will be tightened.
• English language requirements will be stricter.
• A requirement for visa applicants to have at least three years’ work experience.
• Applicants must be under the maximum age requirement of 45 at the time of application.
• Employers must pay the Australian market salary rate and meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold set at $53,900 as at 12 April 2016.
• Concessions for regional Australia will continue to be available:
• Employers in regional Australia will continue to have access to occupations under the temporary and permanent visas, to reflect their skills needs.
• Existing permanent visa concessions for regional Australia, such as waiving the nomination fee and providing age exemptions for certain occupations, will be retained.
• Consideration will be given to expanding the occupations in regional Australia that are exempt from the age requirement