Changes to 457 visa program announced

On the 23 February 2013 the Minister for Immigration Brendan O'Connor announced that there will be changes to the 457 visa program.

The changes announced are:

“Under the changes:

• Employers must demonstrate that they are not nominating positions where a genuine shortage does not exist
• The English language requirements for certain positions have been raised
• The enforceability of existing training requirements for businesses that use the program will be strengthened
• The market salary exemption will rise from $180 000 to $250 000
• On-hire arrangements of 457 visa workers will be restricted
• Compliance and enforcement powers will be beefed up to stop employers who have routinely abused the 457 system
• Stakeholders will be consulted to ensure market rate provisions more effectively protect local employment.”

http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo193683.htm

What we still do not know?

The details of the changes to English levels changes have not been released.

The date from which the changes will be implemented.  It has been reported that the changes will be from the 1 June 2013:

http://brw.com.au/p/business/tighter_regime_needs_more_compliance_777FVeWDihQrSpqQwQ3KyM?goback=%2Egde_2950255_member_217501318

But there has not been an official release on the changes by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship as yet.

Reactions to the proposed changes?

The announcement has been received negatively by Australian business:

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3697369.htm

http://myresources.com.au/news/27-latestnews/7256-business-urges-caution-on-visa-changes

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/business-warns-against-visa-changes-20130224-2ezll.html

If you want to know more?

You can contact Chris Johnston at Work Visa Lawyers.

Changes to 457 visa program announced?

On the 23 February 2013 the Minister for Immigration Brendan O'Connor announced that there will be changes to the 457 visa program.

The changes announced are:

“Under the changes:

• Employers must demonstrate that they are not nominating positions where a genuine shortage does not exist
• The English language requirements for certain positions have been raised
• The enforceability of existing training requirements for businesses that use the program will be strengthened
• The market salary exemption will rise from $180 000 to $250 000
• On-hire arrangements of 457 visa workers will be restricted
• Compliance and enforcement powers will be beefed up to stop employers who have routinely abused the 457 system
• Stakeholders will be consulted to ensure market rate provisions more effectively protect local employment.”

http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo193683.htm

What we still do not know?

The details of the changes to English levels changes have not been released.

The date from which the changes will be implemented.  It has been reported that the changes will be from the 1 June 2013:

http://brw.com.au/p/business/tighter_regime_needs_more_compliance_777FVeWDihQrSpqQwQ3KyM?goback=%2Egde_2950255_member_217501318

But there has not been an official release on the changes by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship as yet.

Reactions to the proposed changes?

The announcement has been received negatively by Australian business:

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3697369.htm

http://myresources.com.au/news/27-latestnews/7256-business-urges-caution-on-visa-changes

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/business-warns-against-visa-changes-20130224-2ezll.html

If you want to know more?

You can contact Chris Johnston at Work Visa Lawyers.

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The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced an additional $10 million will be allocated towards 457 visa processing in as part of Budget 2011–12.

DIAC makes the following statement in relation to the role of the 457 program:

“The program is uncapped, demand-driven and highly responsive to the economic cycle. It provides a flexible avenue for employers to fill immediate and short-term skill vacancies where Australian workers are not available.”

The increase in funding is consistent with consistent statements made by the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, that he favours demand driven migration policies which target skills shortages.

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/457-additional-funding.htm

On 3 June 2011 the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) released the ‘Outlook for Net Overseas Migration May 2011’. The DIAC paper provides insight into the trends of Australian Government migration policy.