​On April 18th Malcolm Turnbull announced new criteria for foreign workers applying for the sponsorship visa, or the 457 visa. This has also led to changes in policies regarding Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Australia too.
​
If you are on a 457 or in the process of applying for one, this is information you need to know.
We received the following information from Carman & Associates, Registered Migration Agency.
​
There will be new requirements including such as:
• Previous work experience in the nominated role
• Higher English requirements
• Labour Market testing to ensure the position cannot be readily filled by the local labour market
​
The government will also establish a new training fund to help train Australians to fill skills gaps.
​
Immediate changes from 19thApril 2017
​
1. Occupation Lists:
The SOL and CSOL have been abolished and replaced by the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List(MLTSSL)and Short-Term Skilled Occupation List(STSOL)respectively. An extensive number of occupations have already been removed from the lists and are no longer eligible for use within the 457 program:Occupations removed
​
2. Visa validity periods
New visa approval periods are up to 4 years for occupations that appear on the MLTSSL and up to 2 years for occupations that are on the STSOL only.
​
3. Caveats added to 59 occupations
Additional requirements will apply for certain nominated occupations such as increased work experience, location of work, base rate of pay, and increased evidence of size and turnover of business.
​
Proposed changes in July 2017
• Further review of the occupation lists which they expect to review every 6 months
• Mandatory police clearances for 457 visa applicants
• Changes to salary threshold for English Language exemptions
• ENS Direct Entry will be restricted to an age limit of 45
​
Changes in March 2018
457 replaced by new short-term 2-year work visa (STSOL occupations) and medium term 4-year visa (MLTSSL occupations only).Likelycriteria changes from current 457 are:
​
Medium-Term
· Can be renewed onshore and PR pathway after 3 years (currently 2 years)
· Requirement for at least 2 years’ work experience
· Mandatory Labour Market Testing unless international obligation exemption applies
· Mandatory police clearances
· Non-discriminatory workforce test
· Strengthened training requirements
​
Short-term
· Can be renewed onshore once only
· Requirement for at least 2 years’ work experience
· Mandatory Labour Market Testing unless international obligation exemption applies
Mandatory police clearances
Non-discriminatory workforce test
Strengthened training requirements
​
ENS/RSMS Visas
• MLTSSL only occupations with additional occupations being allowed to support employers in RSMS
• Age limit of 45 for all applicants
• Residence requirement extends to 3 years
​
Fact sheets
The fact sheets for the changes can be found here:
Temporary Employer Sponsored changes
Permanent Employer Sponsored changes
​
Other rumoured changes
Increased visa pricing is likely to apply to applications
If you have any questions or would like to discuss employment opportunities in Australia, New Zealand or Asia, you can contact the AustCorp team on +61 (2) 8252 1111.