(Aus Immigration Law) Australia is a great country to work in, as it provides a lot of opportunities for overseas workers to be a part of the country’s workforce. There are many types of Australian visas that you can apply for so you can work in the country, there’s the Working Holiday Visa, the Student Visa, and even the Australia partner visa. You can find work for a limited amount of time when you are granted with certain subclasses of visas in Australia.

The Temporary Work Visa Subclass 457 is the most commonly applied and most granted visa application in Australia. This visa allows Australian employers to fill short term shortages in occupations by hiring qualified applicants from outside the country. You can apply for this visa if you meet the following requirements:

If you are sponsored by a qualified Australian employer and are nominated for a skilled position.
If you have demonstrated your ability in the English language through required tests.
If you have the skills, experience, and qualifications that match the required position of your employer.
If you have health insurance.
If you are qualified for licenses or registration that is required for the position.

Once your application is granted, you get to have the following benefits:

Get to work in Australia from 3 months to a total of 4 years, plus 90 days to look for another employment.
Bring your family with you, where they can work and/or study in Australia.
Get to travel to and from Australia anytime you want within 4 years.

Since the Temporary Work Visa is the most commonly applied and granted work visa in Australia, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) of Australia made some significant changes to the application lodging and requirements for applications and compliance. The changes were not made to make it harder to apply and get approved for the visa, but changes were made to ensure the rights of the subclass 457 visa holders and to protect the jobs and opportunities for Australian employees. Changes were effective and commenced in July 1, 2013. Though they may not significantly affect current subclass 457 visa holders, they should take note of the changes in the English language and skills requirement, should they change to another occupation or get a new job or employment.

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Before the changes were made, the DIAC had limited power on the implementation and sanctions regarding the non compliance of the requirements of employers. With the changes, however, the government now has a stronger capacity to prevent practices of employers who do not keep up with the requirements.

Key changes include removal of the exemptions of the English language tests; an increase in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold to $53,900; enhanced sponsorship obligations; evidence that the employer cannot find a qualified and suitable Australian citizen or resident for the vacant position; and elimination of paper processing, which means all applications will be done online. Changes in the processing fees have also been implemented. Before, the fee was only $455, which already includes the employee, his or her partner, and two children under the ages of 18. With the changes, this fee has now risen to $2,250.

Overall, the change to the subclass 457 has placed a greater obligation on the employers’ parts to show their need to employ overseas workers. And it has given more government strength to be able to protect subclass 457 visa card holders and Australian citizens and residents.

Move Migration is a boutique immigration specialist consists of professional migration agents. With their exceptional service and expertise in migration processes, they have enjoyed a high success rate on helping their clients with any migration application processes in Australia.

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Michael Ma

Migration Agent Assistant at Move Migration

I’m currently working as a migration agent assistant at Move Migration, a Sydney-based immigration specialist company known for exceptional service standards and its simple fee structure. Inspired by our expert migration agents, I try to help people who plan to move to Australia in my own unique way. By sharing informative and helpful articles about migrating to Australia, I am able to educate the public on what should and shouldn't be done in their migration pathway.