Major changes planned Australian migration as 457 visa set to be scrapped
Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has announced that the 457 visa will be replaced by a new classification of visa designed to target genuine skills shortages including those in regional areas.
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 19th April 2017
- 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
- 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.
- Caveats added to 59 occupation
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). Likely criteria 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
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
Related Posts
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More foreign workers needed in Western Australia →
More changes to Australia’s visa system →
One Response to Major changes planned Australian migration as 457 visa set to be scrapped
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Can you help? We are on a 457 and have been for just under a year my questions is can we still apply for pr if my partners job has been took of the list?? Thanks