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457 News – Store Managers

We often get questions from clients around whether they can sponsor their retail store managers for a subclass 457 visa.  Under current policy, the short answer is that it is not appropriate to use the 457 programme to sponsor a Retail Manager, as it is not included in the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL). Current […]

April 3, 2017 by

Populist rhetoric threatens to undermine subclass 457 visa program

Back in June, FCB Smart Visa reported on the ALP’s pre-election immigration policy platform concerning work-related visas.  The recent political upset in the U.S. has given Bill Shorten (amongst others) new political impetus in bringing immigration squarely back on to the agenda. At last week’s Migration Institute of Australia National Conference, Shadow immigration spokesman – […]

November 25, 2016 by

Changes to the temporary activity visa framework

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has introduced a new temporary activity visa framework, which will come into effect on 19 November 2016. This change is designed to streamline the application process for individuals and businesses. From 19 November, the following Subclasses will be closed for new applications: Subclass 401 Temporary Work (Long […]

November 17, 2016 by

Nats Back the Backtrack on Backpacker Tax

27 September 2016: The Federal treasurer today announced the government would scrap the proposed 32.5% flat tax rate on income earned by foreign working-holidaymakers in Australia. The new measures follow a deal negotiated through Nationals leader, Barnaby Joyce, and has been overwhelmingly welcomed by regional stakeholders who rely heavily on itinerant and seasonal workers under […]

September 28, 2016 by

A caveat for businesses with foreign workers

Interim figures provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) Directorate for Migrant Strategy & Engagement show that 73% of all litigation initiated in the first nine months of the 2015-16 financial year involved visa holders. This astonishing figure gives further context to the FWO’s Calendar 2015 report which was released earlier this year, and included […]

August 30, 2016 by

Perth restaurant chain investigated for breach of workplace relations laws

The owner and operator of a Perth chain of restaurants is facing legal action after an investigation revealed allegations of serious breaches of workplace relations laws relating to overseas workers. The franchisee and owner of two restaurants, Tram Hoang Han, is facing court over these allegations in relation to restaurants she formerly ran in the […]

July 6, 2016 by

Labor Issues Immigration Policy Media Release on Work-related Visas

Whilst the Coalition’s immigration policy continues to focus on informal maritime arrivals, the Labor party has released a broad-based immigration policy statement ahead of the 2016 Federal election. A substantial proportion of the platform deals with the temporary work visa system, and proposes significant reforms to the current rules and settings surrounding the employment of […]

June 30, 2016 by

Occupational Ceilings for 2016-17 Programme Year Announced

The occupational ceilings for the 2016-17 programme year have now been announced. Occupational ceilings apply to Skilled Independent Subclass 189 and family sponsored Skilled Regional (Provisional) subclass 489 visas and will come into effect on 1 July 2016. The following occupations have seen an increase in places: Software and Applications Programmers – 6% increase Engineering […]

June 21, 2016 by

Changes to the Subclass 457 Accredited Sponsorship Criteria

On 1 July 2016, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) will implement changes to the requirements for businesses wishing to become Accredited Business Sponsors.  Businesses that meet the new criteria and have a history of ‘good dealings’ with DIBP are able to gain this status and have their sponsorships approved for six years […]

June 8, 2016 by