457 Visas | Updates for businesses and visa holders
It has been a few months since the 1 July changes to 457 visas, however we can expect to see ongoing changes to the requirements for businesses to nominate visa holders until March 2018 when the 457 visa program transitions to the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa.
Here’s what has businesses and 457 visa holders need to know about recent changes.
Changes to Market Salary Rate Requirements
In an effort to prevent visa holders from being exploited, employers will now need to provide additional documentation to show they are paying their visa holders equivalent market salary rates to local workers.
Under the new requirements, employers will need to:
– Provide a written statement outlining how they have determined the pay for an equivalent Australian worker
– Prepare references to the job outlook and prospects of the role in the Australian market.
This extra documentation is required in addition to the usual evidence requirements to ensure Australian market salary rates have been met.
Labour Market Testing Evidence Arrangements
Businesses who have lodged a nomination application on or after 1 October 2017 will need to provide additional evidence to show they have tested the local labour market.
Here are the main changes for businesses:
– A copy of relevant advertisements will need to be provided, including evidence of the duration of the advertising period
– Receipts for any advertising fees paid will need to be submitted
– Advertisements also need to be accessible Australia-wide, for example through an online service such as SEEK
– Importantly, the Domestic Recruitment Table will no longer be accepted by the Immigration Department as a way of demonstrating the Australian labour market has been tested.
There may be additional labour market testing requirements that businesses need to meet once the 457 visa program transitions to the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa in March 2018. Further information on this is expected from the Immigration Department in coming months.
The intent of the changes is to ensure overseas professionals are nominated for positions which demand skills and experience that have been proven to be difficult to source locally.
Permanent Residence Prospects for Employees Currently on a 457 visa
Our migration agents can confirm that existing subclass 457 visa holders or applicants as at 18 April 2017 will continue to have access to an employer sponsored pathway to permanent residence, however the Immigration Department is yet to confirm the transitional provisions. The Department hopes to advise of this before the end of the year.
Managing the 457 visa changes
Immigracious is happy to support businesses through the 457 changes and provide advice and guidance on how to manage and prepare for the additional requirements to nominate visa holders.
To get in touch with a migration agent about nominating visa holders or to understand your visa options, get a complimentary visa assessment here or contact our registered migration agents on
08 6263 4406 or hello@immigracious.com.au
Source:
Immigracious Migration Agents
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
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