Immigration and Entry Formalities

Work permits for Australia - the ‘subclass 457 visa’

Says Karen Waller, Executive Director, KPMG Migration:

“The key aim of the subclass 457 visa is to enable Australian business to enhance international competitiveness through the quick and smooth transfer of key skills.The 457 visa requires sponsoring companies to comply with a number of sponsorship obligations. Some of these obligations include health insurance and repatriation costs.

A further requirement is ensuring that those on 457 visas are paid a minimum salary. The current minimum salary level is AUD$41,850 for non-IT occupations and AUD$57,300 for IT occupations.

In 2005-06, a total of 71,150 Business (Long Stay) - 457 visas were granted, a rise of 46.4 per cent compared with the previous financial year.

The UK represented 24 per cent of the total number of 457 visas granted. This is the largest number of expatriates on 457 visas for any one specific country.The most important aspect of the 457 visa program is ensuring that sponsoring companies remain compliant with migration laws. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has recently announced that applications for 457 visas will be fast tracked where the company has demonstrated a strong record of compliance with the subclass 457 visa program to date. The arrangements will reward companies who have a strong and demonstrated record of complying with the subclass 457 visa program, by priority processing their applications, helping to streamline access to skilled workers.From 1 July 2007, subclass 457 visa applicants will be required to provide evidence of their English language skills. A further recent announcement is that enhanced sanctions will be introduced to encourage greater levels of compliance by sponsors of their obligations under the 457 visa program.It is recommended that companies ensure that they obtain proper migration advice in Australia.”

kwaller@kpmg.com.au

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