Changes to the 457 visa: What does it mean for international students?
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made headlines last
week after announcing skilled 457 visas will be replaced
with an alternative that will see him “put jobs first” and “Australians first”.
The shock decision came on Tuesday via Facebook, where
Turnbull claimed the new system will hone in on “genuine skills shortages” and
would include tougher criteria like compulsory work experience, strong English
proficiency and a criminal record check.
At the present time, there are 95,758 people using a 457
visa in Australia, with the greatest proportion from India (24.6 per cent),
followed by the United Kingdom (19.5 per cent) and China (5.8 per cent).
To make this information more digestible, the team at
Studies in Australia has come up with some fast facts about the alterations to
the 457 visa.
What is a 457 visa?
A 457 visa allows a skilled worker from overseas to “travel
to Australia to work in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor
for up to four years.” The visa holder must be sponsored by an Australian
business, which in turn has to ensure there isn’t an Australian worker who
could fill the role.
How is it being changed?
The 457 visa will be replaced by the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, available in two- and four-year programs. While there are currently over 650 jobs listed for 457 holders, this will be reduced by 200 when the new system comes into operation.
The criteria for applicants will also change, with tougher restrictions including:
- Greater English proficiency
- Police and criminal record check
- Mandatory two years of work experience
- Compulsory labour market testing
Sponsoring foreign workers will be considerably more
expensive for businesses, costing $1,150 for a two-year visa and $2,400 for the
four-year equivalent (more than double the previous fee).
What about current 457 visa holders?
For anybody who holds a 457 visa at the moment, it’s not so
bad. A “grandfathering arrangement” will ensure that these individuals will not
risk immediate deportation and will still work on the conditions of the 457
visa.
When will it come into effect?
The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa will officially launch in March 2018, although the constricting of some occupation lists began as early as April 19.
