By Albert Fang

Did you hear the news? There have been proposed changes to the Employer-Sponsored migration program in Australia, expected to be implemented on 25 November 2023. These changes provide a shorter pathway to permanent residency for Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa holders after just two years of working with their sponsors, reduced from three years. This is indeed significant  and will certainly boost confidence in the Employer Sponsored visa program to attract more talent from overseas.

This positive development aligns with the Government’s strategy to strengthen the skilled migration program. However, it’s important to keep in mind that such timelines and immigration policies can be subject to change or revision. Our team of professionals are closely monitoring any further development in this space, we’re here to keep you updated about what official sources and channels are saying, and we’ll be sure to pass on any further details, specific changes or requirements that will be implemented.

Also, we expect the Skilled Occupation List in its current complex form will be consolidated and streamlined – meaning all occupations on the Skilled Migration List will have the option of transitioning to permanent residency following these changes.

Don’t be shy about asking questions on this complex topic if you’re a sponsor or a permanent residency seeker. FCB Smart Visa is here to give you guidance on updates to the pathway to permanent residency. Simply reach out to Smart Visa’s expert team today.

By Eva Huang

 

There have been important measures and initiatives announced in the latest budget of 9 May 2023 which affect immigration – and it’s important we explain these so the information is digestible but accurate.

The following are the most impactful of the Budget’s effects on migration.

  1. Skilled Migration

Described by the Government as emphasising the importance of skilled migration in addressing labour market demands, the Budget’s updates include:

  1. Allocating 70 per cent of places (137,000) in the permanent migration program (190,000, 5,000 places less than current fiscal year) to skilled migrants.
  2. Providing an extra two years of post-study work rights to temporary graduate visa holders with selected degrees.
  3. An increase to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold to $70,000 (this particularly impacts employer-sponsored visa classes TSS 482 and ENS 186).
  4. Providing additional training places for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme workers in priority sectors for the Pacific and Timor-Leste and where there are job shortages in Australia.
  5. Providing onshore migrants with fast-tracked skills assessments.
  6. Removing restrictions to enable TSS visa holders on short-term stream to permanent residence pathways through the Employer Nominated Scheme (subclass 186) visa.
  7. Removing one onshore renewal for the TSS short-term stream visa.

The Budget revealed these important adjustments to Planning Levels for 2023-24

Visa Stream Visa Category 2022-23 Planning Levels 2023-24 Planning Levels
Skill Employer Sponsored 35,000 36,825
Skilled Independent 32,100 30,375
Regional 34,000 32,300
State/Territory Nominated 31,000 30,400
Business Innovation & Investment 5,000 1,900
Global Talent (Independent) 5,000 5,000
Distinguished Talent 300 300
Skill Total 142,400 137,100

 

For complete Budget documents, visit this website.

  1. Fewer business innovation and investment visas

Only 1900 places are now available within subclass 188A, 188B, 188C and 188E visa applicants. This is a significant adjustment compared with last year (when there were 5,000 places for this category).

  1. Initiatives encouraging Regional Migration

The Budget includes initiatives to encourage skilled migrants to settle in regional areas, such as regional visas, incentives for employers, and increased investment in regional infrastructure.

  1. Family Migration funding is being expedited

Because the Budget acknowledges the significance of family migration in promoting family reunification and social cohesion, funding has been allocated to expedite the processing of family visa applications, reduce backlogs, and improve the efficiency of the family migration program. However, the place for this category has not changed.

  1. Citizenship and Integration emphasised in this Budget

Efforts to promote citizenship and integration have been highlighted in the Budget. As such, funding has been allocated to support citizenship applications, enhance citizenship testing processes, and provide language and cultural orientation programs to facilitate the integration of migrants into Australian society.

  1. Visa Application Charges

Visa Application Charges (VACs) will increase from 1 July 2023.

 

Visa Classes

Percentage increase in charges
Visitor, working holiday, work and holiday, training, temporary activity and temporary work (short stay specialist) visas  

15%

Business innovation and investment visas 40%
Other visas 6%
Pacific Engagement Visa and Pacific Australia Labour Mobility visas Full details of price increases are available at https://budget.gov.au/content/documents.htm Exempt from increase.

 

  1. Significant increase to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)

The increased TSMIT may have a difficult impact and may mean some small businesses struggle to sponsor new TSS employees for salaries under $70,000, which is the new threshold salary amount. FCB Smart Visa has an article about what to expect from the threshold change and why we suggest you consider lodging new applications and renewals before 1 July 2023.

The wider picture is we can expect a possible impact on market salaries for all employees in affected occupations.

Read the article here.

As an employer, expect a generally favourable impact but note the increased costs, which may need to be communicated with your current and incoming workforce

The new budget has significant benefit for employers who are seeking skilled workers from overseas, not only with increased places under the budget, but also with improved processing time and alleviated restrictions.

Sponsored employees will have a pathway to permanent residency (subject to meeting all other requirements) with released requirements under the pathway of two years working for their sponsor, instead of three.

What you need to do

Considering the tone of the Budget, we encourage you to do the following:

  • Review your business’s permanent residency policy to encompass the implications of the Budget
  • Review your lists of who in your workforce holds a visa.

If you have questions about the Budget’s impact on your workforce and how changes to costs and policies this may impact your business, please contact FCB Smart Visa.

Eva Huang is an Immigration Solicitor with FCB Smart Visa.

Eva Huang (Immigration Solicitor, LPN: 5513135) is a solicitor at FCB Smart Visa. Eva provides clients with high standard advice in all areas of the Australian Migration Program. Eva has specific high level of knowledge of all aspects of the employer sponsored program, she delivers comprehensive advice to employers on visa pathways and processes. Eva also advices clients on skill assessment, regional certificate and other matters related to the employer sponsored program. Been a bilingual professional with over 15 years of working experience in diverse environment, Eva values clients from various backgrounds and advices based on client’s best interests. 

student visa

Staff shortages are making headlines across the country as high case numbers force many into isolation. This isn’t just an issue in critical industries such as healthcare, either: the Australian Retail Association reports that 76 per cent of retailers had staff isolating in mid-January, and nearly 20 per cent had to temporarily close stores.

To support businesses and keep them open, the Federal Government has announced a temporary relaxation of visa conditions for student visa holders.

In this article, we explain what these changes are and what it means for industries facing critical labour shortages.

What’s changed?

Normally, students holding a subclass 500 visa cannot work more than 40 hours over a 14-day period while their course is in session or be employed and working before their course starts. The temporary removal of these restrictions poses a great opportunity for businesses and international students alike. Businesses can now hire and utilise international students for additional hours during the week, and students can gain more experience and increase their income.

The relaxing of these restrictions extend to both existing and new student visa holders, as well as secondary applicants e.g., spouses and dependent children. These changes are already in place, allowing international students to work more than 40 hours per fortnight, with no current limit on their hours of work and commence employment before their course has started.

Initially, these relaxations were only in place for critical industries but given the dire nature of staff shortages across all sectors, they’ve now been extended across the board. Additionally, students with offers for employment in critical sectors may be eligible to apply for a 408 Pandemic Visa in situations where they’ve finished their course and are within 90 days of their student visa expiring.

These relaxations are only temporary, with the Government set to review the changes in April 2022. Importantly, other visa conditions are still in place. Students must ensure they’re enrolled in a course and maintain satisfactory attendance and progress.

In addition, the six-month work limitation for Working Holiday Maker visa holders (subclasses 417 and 462) will be removed until the end of 2022, allowing these individuals to work for the same employer for longer than six months.

Steps for employers

While employers may have the green light to engage employees holding subclass 500 visas for additional hours than they would otherwise be permitted to, they must keep Work Health and Safety (WHS) at the forefront. Excessive working hours can lead to mental and physical fatigue, and increase the risk of workplace injuries and employee burnout.

Study requirements under the subclass 500 visa are still in place and students must balance any additional hours they work with their course requirements. Employers should consider the individual circumstances of each student and be careful not to overburden them.

As this is only a temporary measure, employers must ensure they’re keeping up to date with visa requirements to ensure they’re compliant.

If you’ve got a question about these visa changes or any other workplace matter, please contact our migration experts at FCB.

By David Pearce

From 9 PM on Friday 20 March 2020, the Federal Government closed Australia’s borders to all non-citizens and non-residents. This closure was one of the first major steps made in response to the pandemic and prevented almost all visa holders from leaving or entering Australia without a travel exemption. These restrictions and stringent exemption requirements caused major distress for many visa holders both in and outside of Australia, preventing them from travelling back home or visiting family in Australia.

And the only way to get around these restrictions and bypass closed borders was to apply for an exemption to travel with the two most common reasons: compassionate and compelling reasons or if the visa holder has a critical skill needed in Australia.

On Monday 22 November 2021 the Australian Government announced that from 1 December 2021, certain fully vaccinated visa holders will no longer require an exemption to travel. Fully vaccinated visa holders from Japan, Singapore and South Korea would also join the list of countries that no longer require an exemption to travel to Australia.

Fully vaccinated visa holders who are exempt include sponsored work visas, student visas, and humanitarian visas. Now, these visa holders are free to travel to and from Australia without exemptions. However, an Australian Travel Declaration (ATD) does need to be completed at least 72 hours before entering Australia.

If you’re unsure of if you’re exempt from applying for a travel exemption, contact FCB Smart Visa and our team can guide you on your obligations when travelling in and out of Australia.

This will be news to the ears of many businesses looking for skilled workers that they’re unable to be found in Australia, plus the process has become simpler – there’s no need for travel exemptions for expatriate staff.

Who still requires an exemption to travel?

Visitor visa holders and bridging visas are the two main types that still require a travel exemption to enter Australia. The Government hasn’t yet clarified if people on bridging visas who have applied for an exempt visa will be eligible to travel.

If you still require an exemption to travel FCB Smart Visa can assist you with preparing the application and advising on the types of evidence that the department will require to present and why you should be exempt from the restrictions.

What are the impacts of the Omicron COVID-19 variant on travel?

In response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, on 27 November 2021 the Federal Government announced additional restrictions for any travellers coming from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, and Mozambique. Anyone who isn’t a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or their immediate family won’t be able to enter Australia if they’ve been in one of the listed countries in the past 14 days even if they have a valid travel exemption. The situation is constantly changing, so keep an eye out for further updates concerning these countries.

On 29 November the Prime Minister announced that the border opening would be pushed back by 14 days to 15 December 2021. This is a blow to people looking to travel, but the Government’s announcement is that this is just a temporary delay until further information about the Omicron variant is available.

If you have any questions about travel exemptions and border closures, please contact our FCB Smart Visa team.
David Pearce is a Solicitor and FCB Smart Visa and FCB Workplace Law. He advises clients on all aspects of migration, with a focus on employer-sponsored visas. His work across both employment and migration law gives him a unique interest in where the two areas overlap. He has completed a double degree in Law and International Studies at Macquarie University.

By Albert Fang, Migration Manager 

The excitement surrounding the opening of Australia’s international borders early next year isn’t only being felt by those needing a holiday but also by Australian employers who are competing fiercely for onshore talent in an increasingly tight market. The recruitment market has rarely been as competitive as it is now, with businesses preparing for a new beginning in a post-pandemic world.

With businesses unable to fill jobs that once attracted overseas skilled migrants, they’re now turning to onshore talent. So what happens if you find the perfect fit but the candidate has an existing sponsorship? In this article, I explain  the five essential steps that businesses must follow to ensure they complete the process of taking over an existing sponsorship lawfully.

These steps are a timely reminder that the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa is relatively portable meaning many businesses are looking inwardly for existing TSS visa holders to fill their vacancies. Given the risks and timing considerations to taking over sponsorship, the following five steps must be done with great care and diligence:

Step 1: Searching for the right fit

Before posting advertisements for a vacant position, always assume that there’s a possibility that the business will receive interest from a candidate who’s already sponsored under an employer-sponsored temporary visa. This means you should be running your hiring campaign in a manner that’s compliant with the Labour Market Testing (LMT) regime. Unless exempt, this will necessarily require advertising on at least three platforms including a mandatory one on the Commonwealth Government’s JobActive website.

If you need some more information on LMT, you’re in luck! Get your FREE best-practice LMT guide from our Smart Visa team today – just get in touch with the FCB Smart Visa team.

Step 2: Conduct a standard candidate interview process

Like every recruitment process, you need to go through the standard candidate screening and interview process and conduct a right to work check. Verifying and confirming the immigration status of the expatriate candidate you’ve shortlisted can be done using FCB Smart Visa Check or VEVO through the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 3: Confirm visa validity

Obtain a copy of the candidate’s current TSS visa grant letter to confirm the balance of the existing visa validity, as well as determine the visa holder’s nominated occupation.

Step 4: Negotiate terms

  • If the LMT adverts have already been running for at least 28 days, a Letter of Offer can be executed and used for the TSS Nomination application.
  • If the LMT adverts are still within the 28-day period, you can still settle on terms, but the Letter of Offer to secure the candidate should only be executed afterthe 28-day advertising period has lapsed.
  • Be careful if you seek to incorporate a bond to recover costs – seek advice as to what is, and what isn’t lawfully recoverable if a candidate leaves pre-term.

Step 5: Acceptance

If the transfer is based on the candidate’s current sponsored occupation, they’ll be able to commence work for you when the new TSS Nomination is approved (i.e., no associated visa application is required to be lodged or granted until closer to their current visa expiry).

On a final note, although your business may have technically taken over the sponsorship of the candidate, they’re lawfully able to serve out any remaining notice period they may have with the outbound sponsor. To minimise the risk of delays (or refusal), businesses are encouraged to seek qualified assistance to manage the transfer process.

If you have any questions about the TSS visa or the process of transferring sponsorships, please reach out to our FCB Smart Visa team.

FCB Smart Visa Check is a cost-effective software solution powered by vSure, that can verify and confirm the visas status of thousands of workers in a matter of seconds.

Albert Fang has been a Migration Agent with FCB Smart Visa since 2018. He has extensive experience in assisting successful entrepreneurs and executives to obtain Australian visas and permanent residence status through employer-sponsored and business migration channels. He has 10 years’ experience in professional services and is particularly skilled in assisting both individual and large corporate clients to achieve positive migration. outcomes.

Long anticipated additional measures for temporary visa holders were announced on Saturday 4 April, and are summarised below for the benefit of FCB clients and friends.

Student Visa Holders

International students working in aged care and as nurses have already had these hours extended to support these critical sectors. However, similar concessions for international students working in the major supermarkets will return to the maximum 40 hours a fortnight (whilst their course is in session) given that more Australians are now being recruited into these roles.

New Zealanders on subclass 444 visas

  • New Zealanders who are on subclass 444 visas and arrived before 26 February 2001 will already have access to welfare payments, and meet the residence status required for employers to access the JobKeeper supplement.
  • Subclass 444 visa holders who arrived after 2001 also meet the base residence status to access to the JobKeeper payment. Those who have lived in Australia for 10 years or more have access to JobSeeker payments for six months.
  • The Government recommends that New Zealanders consider returning to New Zealand if they are unable to support themselves through these provisions, work or family support.

Temporary Skilled visa holders

  • There are around 139,000 TSS visa holders, on either a 2 year or 4 year (subclass 457 or 482) visa. They were provided the visa to fill a skills shortage – a shortage that may still be present when the crisis has passed.

Consequently, those visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements. Businesses will also be able to reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa condition. This represents a broad and generous interpretation of the law as it stands.

  • These visa holders will also be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation drawdown this financial year if the general eligibility criteria are also met. This may ultimately be on more favourable terms than the tax on superannuation that normally applies to temporary residents permanently departing Australia

However, the Government is at pains to emphasise that those visa holders who have been laid off due to coronavirus should leave the country in line with existing visa conditions if they are unable to secure a new sponsor. Nevertheless, where a 4-year visa holder can be re-employed after the coronavirus pandemic, there are plans to amend the legal and policy framework to allow their time already spent in Australia to count towards the qualifying period required for employer-sponsored permanent residence.

Working Holiday Makers supporting critical sectors

  • To support the critical sectors of health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing, and childcare, some limited flexibility will be provided. Specifically, working holidaymakers who are working in these critical sectors will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months.

Again, the Government stresses that those working holidaymakers that do not have the confidence to sustain themselves over the next six months should make arrangements to leave the country.

Temporary Graduate visa holders

Whilst no specific measures have been announced for this group, subclass 485 visa holders will also be eligible to access their Australian superannuation drawdown if they meet the relevant criteria of the programme.We understand that the programme is slated to open in mid-April 2020.

Visitor visa holders

  • Visitors are encouraged to return home if possible, if they stay they will need to support themselves, and extensions would need to be by way of a further application as a visitor onshore which carries a range of criteria that could be applied to deny extensions.

Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme visa holders

Workers holding SWP and PLS visas will have visa conditions relaxed and be given an option to extend their stay for up to one year. Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Senator Michaelia Cash said this change would bring much needed certainty for employers and workers alike.

Visa holders are reminded that current and future Australian visa applications are subject to stringent health and character tests and any breaches of social distancing and self-isolation rules will be viewed unfavourably during assessment.

If any of the above measures have raised questions or concerns for you or your business, you can arrange a time to discuss these with the FCB Smart Visa team on +612 9922 5188 or at ajk@fcbsmartvisa.com.au

As we navigate the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, our thoughts are always with you, your families, and employees who are affected.

FCB is uniquely placed to deal with the employment law and immigration implications relating to the variation in employment arrangements for your workforce. Our teams are fully operational during this time, and we are here to help you through these unprecedented challenges.

FCB Smart Visa is part of two working groups liaising with Home Affairs, Minister Tudge, and Australian Border Force to recommend and relay changes to the migration programme that are of assistance to employers and their sponsored employees. We expect definitive pronouncements on what these changes are within the next 72 hours.

For now, the current rules, obligations, and visa conditions apply to all sponsored visa holders, although policy allows flexibility in terms of LWOP, gardening leave, and reduced hours if certain conditions are met.

We will be pushing out the additional special measures as soon as these are ratified by Canberra. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to book a time for a teleconference if you are concerned about the impact to your business and potential workarounds.

Kind Regards, 

FCB Smart Visa

While admitting that it is not an exact science, Alex Kaufman has outlined a number of impending changes that are likely to be made to skilled migration visas.

Since announcing in April last year that the 457 visa would be scrapped, and it was ultimately replaced with a new and much stricter regime of short and medium-term skilled visas, the government has been making regular amendments to its list of eligible professions.

Alex Kaufman, solicitor and head of migration at FCB Smart Visa, told My Business that there are a number of professions likely to face the axe in the next major update by the government.

“It is a bit of crystal ball gazing – it really depends on the level of resistance from peak industry bodies and stakeholders,” he said.

“If nothing were to happen in terms of the stakeholder engagement process, then it would probably happen [as listed below].”

That stakeholder engagement refers to lobbying on the part of businesses and their industry bodies, aimed at educating the government on the true nature of any skills shortages in those areas and the real-world impacts of their removal from eligibility for skilled migration visas.

While the rules around specific professions and their eligibility for skills visas lie with the department of immigration, Mr Kaufman said these lists “are curated by the Department of Jobs and Small Business”.

“[And] we all know from the last two rounds that they are receptive, in part, to lobbying,” said Mr Kaufman.

According to Mr Kaufman, the following job titles (with their relevant ANZSCO code) are likely to be removed from the short-term skilled occupation list:

  • Manufacturer (133411)
  • Visual arts and crafts professionals (211499)
  • Director (film, television, radio or stage) (212312)
  • Film and video editor (212314)
  • Program director (television or radio) (212315)
  • Stage manager (212316)
  • Technical director (212317)
  • Video producer (212318)
  • Middle school teacher (241311)
  • Textile, clothing and footwear mechanic (323215)
  • Watch and clock maker and repairer (323316)
  • Cabler (data and telecommunications) 342411)
  • Chemical plant operator (399211)
  • Library technician (399312)
  • Residential care officer (411715)
  • Insurance loss adjuster (599612)

Mr Kaufman also suggested several more professions are likely to change classifications instead of being removed altogether.

He said that management accountants (221112) in particular, as well as agricultural consultants (234111) and civil engineering technicians (312212) are likely to be downgraded from the medium-long term strategic skills list to the short-term skilled occupation list.

“There’s a[n] oversupply of accountants in Australia and from overseas, because accountants have been on various permanent residence lists forever almost,” Mr Kaufman said.

“So I really wouldn’t be surprised if at least one of those accounting roles – you’ve got tax accountant, general accountant, management accountant – I wouldn’t be surprised if this one does get downgraded to the short-term skilled occupation list.”

Dentists (252312) and anaesthetists (253211) are likely to be moved from the short-term skills list onto the regional occupations list, in recognition of shortages of these medical professionals in rural and regional areas.

Interestingly, Mr Kaufman said there has been significant pressure on the government to upgrade the stats of professional footballers (452411), and because of this intense pressure, he expects the profession to be upgraded from the short-term skills list to the medium-long-term strategic skills list.

“There’s been a lot of pressure to allow that to happen, simply because the only other way to become a permanent resident as a footballer is to get a skill assessment, and the minimum requirement for most skill assessing authorities is a bachelor qualification.

“So it’s invariably a catch-22 for footballers, and at least this move will allow them access to permanent residence through the temporary residence transition stream without a skill assessment.”

 

https://www.mybusiness.com.au/human-resources/4999-more-professions-set-to-be-axed-from-skilled-visas

The second phase of the 457 (and related) visa reforms took effect from Saturday 1 July 2017. Despite some advance warning on the broader amendments, there are nevertheless some unannounced, but important changes which will impact sponsors, nominators and visa applicants alike. In summary, the changes include:

1. Creation of ENS occupation list/s (IMMI 17/080)

Eligible occupations for the ENS Direct Entry (DE) stream are detailed in a newly compiled Subclass 186 occupation list, which includes the Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Certain ‘Inapplicability conditions’ (aka Caveats) now apply against 68 occupations between the STSOL and MLTSOL on the new ENS list. Like the Caveats introduced into the 457 visa programme, these conditions import additional criteria based on salary, location, level of skill/experience, turnover and/or staffing levels of the nominating business. The introduction of these Inapplicability conditions was not formally announced before this abrupt change.
For the time being, eligible occupations for ENS Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream purposes are not dependent on any particular list/s, and will continue to be based on the occupation corresponding with the most recently approved subclass 457 nomination.
There appears to be no mechanism that would make a TRT stream occupation subject to any Caveat/s that would otherwise apply to the same occupation if it were nominated under the Direct Entry stream.

RSMS will remain unaffected by changes to the occupation lists. Eligible occupations for RSMS will be ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 and 3 occupations (reproduced in the new Legislative Instrument IMMI 17/058).

2. Release of amended 457 occupation list/s (IMMI 17/060)

The much anticipated revisions to the 457 Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) took effect from 1 July; notable changes include:

a) Addition of the following 12 occupations to the (457) MLTSSL supporting both a 4-year 457/TSS visa, and a pathway to employer nominated permanent residence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b) Removal of Caveats to 8 occupations which were on the previous MLTSSL but ineligible for 457 or employer nominated permanent residence specifically because of the Caveats. The following occupations were subsequently made eligible for nomination under 457 ENS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

c) Reinstatement of the following 16 occupations to the457/TSS visa programme. Although these occupations are now back in contention, they only appear on the 2-year STSOL, and are therefore ineligible for employer nominated permanent residence after March 2018. Where
indicated, they are also subject to one or more Caveats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d) Downgrading of two occupations to the STSOL from the previous MLTSSL, and an upgrade for 23 occupations which have been moved from the previous STSOL to the new MLTSSL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

e) Removal of the following 9 occupations from inclusion under the 457/TSS and ENS (DE) programmes altogether:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Introduction of new ENS/RSMS English requirements (IMMI 17/058)

Primary applicants for ENS and RSMS visas made under the TRT stream who lodge applications on or after 1 July 2017 will require at least Competent English, as evidenced by an IELTS (or equivalent test) score of at least 6 in each component. The previous English language exemption for both ENS and RSMS visa applicants based on high earnings (>$180,001) has been removed. This will apply to all visa applications including those lodged before 1 July 2017 that have not been finalised. The English language exemption for applicants who have
completed at least five years of full-time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where all of the tuition was delivered in English remains for the applications.

4. Specification of new 457 English requirements (IMMI 17/057)

Unless exempted, primary applicants for 457 (and future TSS) visas who lodge applications on or after 1 July 2017 will require one of the following English test scores to satisfy the English language criterion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The previous English language exemption threshold relating to high earnings (base salary of >$96,400) has been removed, save for nominees who are employed by an overseas business which is their sponsor or an associated entity of their sponsor.
The standard exemptions for certain passport holders, diplomats, and those with 5 years of English language education remain.

5. Removal of ENS/RSMS Skills Exemption (IMMI 17/058)

Prior to 1 July, exemptions from the need to obtain skill assessments under the ENS/RSMS (DE stream) existed, where the primary applicant’s earnings were above the top marginal tax threshold ($180,001). This has also been removed by Legislative Instrument IMMI 17/058.

Like the related English exemption, the changes will also apply to all visa applications including those lodged before 1 July 2017 that are yet to be finalised. For pipeline applications seeking the exemption, the only way to avoid a refusal is in the following circumstances:

  • Where the applicant can demonstrate that they had a skill assessment in place at the time of application. This may occur for example if an applicant was registered by the body gazetted to issue skill assessments (as is the case with Medical Practitioners).
  • Where the nominee is otherwise exempted under the Legislative Instrument. Currently, this applies to certain researchers, scientists, technical specialists, university academics, New Zealand nationals and their subclass 461 family members.

Otherwise, there appears no remedy for an affected application save for withdrawing and re-lodging. This will not be of assistance to affected applicants who may have subsequently turned 45, for whom the consequences of the retrospective changes are particularly harsh.

6. Reduction of age limit for ENS/RSMS (Direct Entry) to 45 (IMMI 17/058)

From 1 July 2017, primary visa applicants for the ENS and RSMS Direct Entry (DE) stream must be under 45 years of age at the time of application. Age exemptions still exist for a limited class of persons including (in highly qualified circumstances): researchers, scientists, technical specialists, academics, New Zealand nationals and their 461 family members and medical practitioners.

The upper age limit for primary TRT stream applicants will remain at 50 years of age until March 2018 when the 45 year age limit will be universally imposed (unless specifically exempted). As previously reported, we are still unsure as to what age exemptions will be permitted after March 2018.

7. Introduction of ‘Genuine Need’ factor for ENS/RSMS (TRT/DE) nominations

The ENS/RSMS nomination criteria found under Migration Regulations have been amended to require that ENS and RSMS TRT stream nominations provide evidence of ‘genuine need’ for the person to work in the nominated position.
This (and a related consequential change to nomination criteria for ENS Direct Entry), means that there is now a universal requirement to demonstrate “genuine need” for a paid employee across the two main streams of the ENS and RSMS programmes, irrespective of if (or for how long) the position may have been filled by a 457 visa holder nominee.

8. Introduction of revised Training Benchmarks for 457/ENS (IMMI 17/045 and IMMI 17/074)

Two new Legislative Instruments have come into effect which revise the longstanding Training Benchmarks which must be met by standard business sponsors and ENS nominators. The DIBP have indicated that these represent incidental changes and/or simply clarify existing policy. This massively understates their significance, given that the following variations to the previous benchmarks appear to operate retrospectively for sponsors and nominators when demonstrating historical compliance with the training obligations:

Allowable Expenditure for Training Benchmark B

Variations to the expenditure that may count towards this benchmark include:

  • the addition of reasonable travelling costs to training venues
  • face to face training delivered by RTOs only where it contributes to an Australian Qualifications Framework qualification
  • the salary of persons whose sole role is to provide training to Australian employees (the previous benchmark allowed a portion of someone’s salary where providing training to Australian employees was a key part of their role – an enormous difference)

Expenditure that is not acceptable for Training Benchmark B

Variations to the expenditure that cannot count towards this benchmark include:

  • on the job training (many of our clients have used this type of training extensively so this will be a very difficult change)
  • training not relevant to the industry the business operates within. We have sought clarification in relation to
    WHS-related expenditure, including first aid courses
  • training undertaken by principals or their family members induction training of any kind
  • purchase of general software, membership fees, books, journals and magazine subscriptions
    attending conferences (unless for continuing professional development purposes), or exhibitor expenses at a trade show, conference or expo

Definition of Payroll

The definition of payroll has been clarified and essentially includes anything classified as wages under State/Territory payroll tax legislation, plus any payments to contractors and subcontractors, whether or not such payments are included for payroll tax purposes.
Although retrospective changes are allowable under law, it seems unreasonable to expect that sponsors who have adhered to their training obligations by providing training over preceding years based on the Training Benchmarks in force at that time, are now expected to show that they adhered to a different benchmark they could not have been aware of.

Once again, it appears harsh and unnecessary to have applied this change retrospectively, particularly when the Training Benchmarks will be replaced by the Skilling Australians Fund Levy in approximately 8 months’ time.

9. Liberalisation of Accredited Sponsorship programme

Accredited sponsors are approved for a sponsorship term of 6 years (as opposed to 5), receive priority processing of 457 nomination and visa applications, and enjoy additional streamlined processing of certain ‘low-risk’ nomination applications.

Recent changes have allowed access to a broader category of businesses (including smaller enterprises) on one of the following bases:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Additional changes to the 457/TSS visa programme

There have been a range of additional minor changes bundled with phase 2 of the 457 visa reform package. These include the introduction of a mandatory formal skills assessment process for more trade-related occupations for applicants from certain countries, as well as mandatory police clearances for all 457 applications lodged on or after 1 July 2017. Fee increases for 457 visa-related application charges (and in most other visa categories) have also now come into effect, as have more generous refund provisions under the Migration Regulations.
Although there has been unprecedented legislative and policy activity across the immigration and citizenship portfolios in recent months, only changes which directly relate to employer sponsored migration have been dealt with here.
On a final note, the retrospective nature of the reform package continues to be a cause for concern in terms of the workability of a stable, effective and equitable employer sponsored visa programme. FCB Smart Visa will be making representations at the highest levels of government to ensure the adverse effects of retrospectivity are better managed as a function of policy, and where possible, appropriate transitional arrangements.
The complexity and scope of the changes, and the dynamic nature of the 457/ TSS and ENS RSMS visa programmes makes it essential for businesses and visa holders to get astute and timely advice surrounding their immigration requirements.
For more information, please contact FCB Smart Visa on (+612) 9922 5188 or: Alex Kaufman: akj@fcbgroup.com.au

The surprise announcement by the Prime Minister regarding the axing of the 457 Visa program has created a great deal of uncertainty for employers and foreign workers. While there has been limited regulations or official policy guidance notes released from the Coalition, our team at FCB Smart Visa has curated all available information to cut through some of the ambiguity and misinformation circulating at present.

At the outset, the abolition of the 457 visa program announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday 18 April 2017 is not a wholesale abolition of the employer sponsored visa regime. The politically charged 457 visa program will instead be replaced from March 2018 with a new category of visa, namely the Temporary Skill Shortage (‘TSS’) visa (subject to passage through both houses of parliament).

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