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All posts tagged Australia Visa

Changes to 457 immigration program see ‘nomination ceiling’ removed

The ceiling on nominations for 457 visas has now been abolished since 14 February 2014, which should make life a whole lot easier for employers looking to nominate and sponsor overseas workers.

When the 457 immigration program underwent a major restructure in July 2013, a cap was placed on the number of positions an employer could sponsor overseas workers to fill.  Meaning if a business had reached its quota of nominations, but still had positions in need of skilled workers, there was very little they could do in the situation.
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Immigration Department data shows the number of work visas in Australia continue to climb

Source www.heraldsun.com.au

The number of visitors to Australia with work rights continues to soar, despite the nation’s worsening job outlook.

New Immigration Department data shows;

  • Australia’s unemployment rate climbing towards 6%
  • the number of New Zealanders on special visas has risen to 625,000
  • 10% jump in young foreigners on working holidays to almost 180,000, as of December 31 last year.
  • 7.6% spike in numbers for the controversial 457 skilled visa to 170,000
  • Student visa numbers rose by 6.4% to 257,000
  • 6% increase in the number of temporary entrants in Australia to 1.82million
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Latest Updates on Proposed Changes to 457 Visa

 

July is soon approaching and with that we will see the reforms to the 457 visa scheme come into effect.  Latest updates announced by the Government on the controversial 457 visa scheme include;

 

  • Increase of visa application charge; $900 instead of the current $455
  • Employers will need to make every effort to employ Australians before resorting to foreign workers
  • Exemption threshold is being raised to $250,000

With the election taking place this year, there has been a lot of political play onto the proposed changes to the 457 visa.  Political leaders are communicating the tightening on 457 visas is to protect “Australian jobs for Australian citizens and residents”.

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