[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Occupations removed on Wednesday the 19th of April 2017:

 

To find out more about the 457 Abolishment changes, please read our article release about the new changes:

457 Abolished | The Real Changes That Will Affect You Now

If you require professional assistance with your matter, please email us at solutions@VisaOne.com.au. Due to the sudden nature of the announcement made regarding the 457 visa program, you may experience 1-2 business days of delay in our response to your enquiry.

If you have an urgent case matter which requires immediate intervention and you wish to engage us to professionally assist with your case, please call us on 1300 61 99 77 (or +61 7 3181 5588) and clearly describe your situation (such as your occupation, the status of your application and any other problems you require immediate assistance with).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text="It doesn't cost you to know your options" font_container="tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23288bd0" google_fonts="font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal" css=".vc_custom_1493284229331{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title=" 1300 619 977" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#333333" btn_bg_color="" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" icon="Defaults-phone" icon_size="32" icon_color="#288bd0" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="3" el_class="ubtn123" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284369687{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:34px;" btn_line_height="desktop:34px;"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title="FREE VISA ASSESSMENT" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#ffffff" btn_bg_color="#ff8200" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" btn_bg_color_hover="#ff9b30" btn_title_color_hover="#ffffff" icon_size="32" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="5" el_class="sg-popup-id-2" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284465384{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:20px;" btn_line_height="desktop:20px;"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A surprising announcement was made yesterday by the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, that the Australian government will be abolishing the 457 program and replacing it with the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which will officially come into effect in March of 2018 (next year).

This has created a ripple effect of fear, confusion and uncertainty for 457 visa applicants, and 457 sponsors, which include small businesses, medium-to-large organisations and even government bodies who all utilise the 457 program to fill a wide array of skilled vacancies with skilled workers from around the globe, including Europe, Asia and the Americas.

It is important to know that the transition of changes of the move from the current 457 program to the new TSS visa has already begun. Reforms have come into effect from today starting with the occupation lists, and more changes to follow this coming 1st of July 2017. Below are the immediate changes, effective from today, that may affect your 457 visa/nomination/sponsorship:

Changes commencing on the 19th April (today):

• Occupation list change: The Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL), which was the list of occupations that employers could sponsor people to fill, has been renamed to the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) of which 216 occupations have been removed (from 651 to 435 occupations). Note: The STSOL will be updated every 6 months
• The new STSOL will have occupation specific restrictions applied to 59 of the occupations and 24 occupations have been limited for sponsorship to regionally located employers (such as occupations relating to farming and agriculture).
• The Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which refers to the Skilled Migration category will be renamed to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This list will consist of occupations that have been identified as high value occupations to the Australian economy.
• 457 Visa Validity Period: The maximum duration of 457 visas issued from this date for occupations that are on the STSOL will be 2 years. The maximum duration of 457 visas issued from this date for occupations that are on the MLTSSL will be 4 years.

So what does this mean for you as an applicant or employer?

This means that depending on your occupation or vacant position:

1. You will not be able to use the 457 program for occupations that have been removed from the occupations lists.
2. For the remaining occupations, on the new lists, you can still use the 457 program but some restrictions may apply to your occupation, or will only be allowed for regional work purposes.
3. The maximum period of the visa validity of 457 visas granted from the 19th of April 2017 onwards will vary depending on what list the occupation/vacancy falls under (STSOL vs MSTSSL).

Current 457 visa holders are not affected by the change and their visas will continue to remain in effect. The only time where the changes will affect current 457 visa holders is if they intend to switch employers, which requires a new 457 nomination (which will be subject to the new occupation lists and associated restrictions).

Current 457 nomination and visa applications that have been lodged on or before the 18th of April 2017 (where the application/s have not yet been finalised) will be affected by the new occupation lists. The Department of Immigration have advised that applications affected by the changes may be eligible for a refund of their nomination fee and visa application fee.

If you are about to embark on a 457 case (or if you are in the middle of the process), please make sure you understand the above changes and consult with an experienced registered migration agent who can navigate the changes and offer you advice and assistance to help you, moving forward.

If you require professional assistance with your matter, please email us at solutions@VisaOne.com.au. Due to the sudden nature of the announcement made regarding the 457 visa program, you may experience 1-2 business days of delay in our response to your enquiry.

If you have an urgent case matter which requires immediate intervention and you wish to engage us to professionally assist with your case, please call us on 1300 61 99 77 (or +61 7 3181 5588) and clearly describe your situation (such as your occupation, the status of your application and any other problems you require immediate assistance with).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text="It doesn't cost you to know your options" font_container="tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23288bd0" google_fonts="font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal" css=".vc_custom_1493284229331{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title=" 1300 619 977" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#333333" btn_bg_color="" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" icon="Defaults-phone" icon_size="32" icon_color="#288bd0" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="3" el_class="ubtn123" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284369687{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:34px;" btn_line_height="desktop:34px;"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title="FREE VISA ASSESSMENT" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#ffffff" btn_bg_color="#ff8200" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" btn_bg_color_hover="#ff9b30" btn_title_color_hover="#ffffff" icon_size="32" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="5" el_class="sg-popup-id-2" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284465384{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:20px;" btn_line_height="desktop:20px;"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Productivity Commission, Australia’s major body tasked in reviewing and advising on microeconomic policies, is proposing huge changes for the country’s skilled migration that could considerably impact the process on which Australia selects the migrants it lets in.

There are many extensive changes being proposed as per the report titled “Migrant Intake into Australia” which was submitted to the Australian Government. The recommendations aim to overhaul the measures and methods of which the country selects and adopts the permanent skilled migrants.

The proposed changes include:

 

 

 

Reduction of the Age Limit

 

Current age limit for the permanent migration under the skill stream is 50 years old, but the Commission suggested that the Australian Government consider a reduction of this, arguing that younger migrants are “likely to have a more favourable impact” compared to those who come to the country at an older age which have “lower rates of labour force participation.”

The report also stressed out that the Government reconsider giving the points‑based system for younger immigrants more significance. The Commission, however, emphasized that the Australian Government continue its existing authority in granting exemptions to the age rule for exceptionally skilled migrants.

 

 

 

Making the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) As the Sole Basis

 

The report also proposed that the Australian Government utilize the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) as the reference point for establishing the skill requirements for the various streams of the permanent skilled immigration program. These include those using the Temporary Residence Transition visa.

In addition, it suggested that the Government initiate a small pilot scheme that will determine the benefit of improving the Skilled Occupations List. The proposed improvements include a “granular” approach to some occupations that cannot be easily allocated between the different skill levels as well as the addition of particular, well defined, skill sets that are not occupationally specific.

 

 

 

Increase Points Given to Primary Applicants

 

The report advised the contributing points that the primary applicant (i.e. the main person applying for the visa) is being given be raised, up to a given maximum. The increased points should be based on the skill and other traits of the adult secondary applicant. Also, it suggested that a primary applicant without any partner be provided with the maximum points.

 

 

 

Streamlining the Points System for Permanent Skilled Migrant Applications

 

Another proposal is for the Australian Government to adopt and maintain a common points system for the entire permanent skill stream. Along with this, additional points should also be awarded to a primary applicant who has been nominated by an employer.

The Productivity Commission also indicated that the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Department of Education and Training, and the Department of Employment collectively create a “systematic empirical” method for establishing the distribution of points based on the traits of the permanent skill stream and evidences on employment and other outcomes.

 

 

 

Screen Partners and Adult Children For English-Competency

 

While the current process does not assess partners and adult children on their English ability, work skills, age, and education, the Commission wants to change that by having the secondary visa applicants be screened in addition to the evaluations being made for the primary visa applicants.

These proposals handed to the Australian Government 13 April this year and was only made public last 12 September, are not yet final and effective. We will keep you updated for any changes taking effect in the migration policies and processes.

What can you say about these proposed changes?

As part of its election commitment, the Turnbull Coalition Government announced last Friday, 23 September, that it will roll out a new temporary sponsored parent visa. The new visa will permit parents to be sponsored by Australians and have them stay for five years. It will be rolled out in July 2017.

 

The plan was made on the heels of the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to either abolish the permanent visa for migrants’ parents or have the fee increased tremendously. Currently, temporary visa for parents only allow them to stay in the country for two years.

 

With the new plan, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Alex Hawke issued a succession of community consultations and encouraged public submissions to aid the Government in coming up with the final design of the new temporary visa and the legislative adjustments required to implement it.

 

 

 

 

Hawke emphasized that the Turnbull Government “recognises that many Australian migrant communities face particular pressures through the separation of children from parents and grandchildren from grandparents.”

 

He also said that they aim to provide better channels for families to “reunite and spend time together” while guaranteeing that it must be achieved in a way that does not place strain on Australia's health care system.

 

"Improving arrangements for parents of Australians to spend time with their family in Australia, whilst mitigating costs to the Australian taxpayer was a key objective of both major parties at the recent election.  It is now important we get this balance right in the design of the temporary sponsored parent visa," he added.

 

 

 

 

As part of this, one of the conditions being planned to impose for the visa grant is for the aged parents to obtain private health insurance and financial guarantee from their children in Australia. "If we are to have more aged parents who have come from overseas here with us visiting or staying, we have to ensure that our already overburdened health system is protected from extra cost," Hawke said.

 

Right now, there is an option available in place for parents to get a permanent visa. However, it has a waiting time of up to 30 years. While this can be expedited, it requires higher visa application charges for faster processing. The new option, on the other hand, will require only two years. And will be accessible to parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens once rolled out.