New Temporary Activity Visa Framework

On 19 November 2016, the new visa subclasses would allow applicants to enter Australia for temporary work or a specified activity.

LanguageEnglish

By

Mosiqi Acharya

Source:

DIBP

7 OCT 2016 – 11:11 AM  UPDATED 21 NOV 2016 – 11:13 AM

UPDATE: SBS Hindi reported in October 2016 that Australian government will be introducing 4 new work visas.

This new Temporary Activity Visa Framework that commenced on 19 November 2016 has reduced seven visa subclasses to four, as part of a move to a fairer and more efficient visa system.

Assistant Secretary, Planning, Design & Assurance, Michael Burke, said applying for the Temporary Activity visa online would now be simpler for sponsors and applicants.

“The changes reduce red tape for business, industry and individuals by streamlining sponsorship requirements and removing the nomination stage for a range of activities,” Mr Burke said.

Seven existing visa subclasses have been reduced to four:

1. Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (Subclass 400) visa
2. International Relations (Subclass 403) visa
3. Training visa (Subclass 407) and
4. Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) visa.

Full details below:

The Australian Government has proposed new temporary activity visa framework which it plans to implement from 19^th November 2016, subject to approval by the Governor-General.

From 19 November 2016, there would be four new visa sub classes:

1. Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
2. Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa
3. Subclass 407 Training visa
4. Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa.

The new framework is designed to make applying for a temporary visa easier. It would reduce red tape for business, industry and individuals by removing sponsorship and nomination requirements for specific short stay activities.

This means, applicants will be:

• able to lodge visa applications online through ImmiAccount
• a single sponsorship (temporary activities sponsor) would replace six existing sponsorship types (long stay activity, training and research, professional development, entertainment, special programme and superyacht crew)

On 19 November 2016, the new visa subclasses would allow applicants to enter Australia for temporary work or a specified activity.

Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa

This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to:

• undertake short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work
• in limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests.

Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa

This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis:

• in relation to a bilateral agreement
• to represent a foreign government or to teach a foreign language in an Australian school
• to undertake full-time domestic work for a diplomat
• as a person with statutory privileges and immunities
• to participate in the Seasonal Worker Programme.

Subclass 407 Training visa

This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to undertake occupational training or participate in classroom based professional development activities.

Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa

This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to:

• work in the entertainment industry
• participate in a non-ongoing cultural or social activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation
• observe or participate as an academic in a research project
• undertake full-time religious work
• participate in a special programme to enhance international relations and cultural exchange
• participate in high-level sports (including training)
• work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement
• participate in an Australian government endorsed event
• work as a superyacht crew member
• undertake full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives.

The following diagram shows the proposed new temporary activity visa framework in more detail.

457 visa: Government to cut occupations list for skilled migrants

By political reporter Stephanie Anderson

Updated Sun at 2:17pm

RELATED STORY: Labor denies crackdown on skilled migrants was driven by One Nation

RELATED STORY: What is a 457 visa and how many people have them?

MAP: Australia

The list of jobs that overseas workers can fill under the 457 visa program is set to be cut by the Australian Government.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has indicated the Government will cut the list of occupations for which skilled migrant visas are available.

It follows a push from the Opposition for greater restrictions.

Mr Dutton told Sky News that the list — which includes more than 650 occupations — is currently being reviewed.

“I think the list at the moment is expansive and I think we’ll condense it and that work has already been underway for some time and we’ll have a look at that very soon,” he said.

But Mr Dutton defended the program, highlighting its use outside major cities.

“It is very hard to get people in regional areas,” he said.

Opposition spokesman for employment Brendan O’Connor told the ABC the use of the visa was hurting Australian workers.

“Too often we’re seeing exploitation, abuse and the overuse and misuse of that visa means downward pressure on wages,” he said.

“That’s why we have almost a wage recession in this country.”

The list includes occupations such as teachers and journalists, professions which have both experienced oversupply in labour.

But they are not among the professions with the highest rates of workers with 457 visas.

According to the Immigration Department, cooks were the most popular profession applied for by primary visa holders — those who directly applied for a 457 visa — followed by those wanting to fill cafe/restaurant manager positions.

https://d3bo5ucoqkgs8h.cloudfront.net/UhPNV/1/?abcnewsembedheight=450

BREAKING: Australian government announces changes to 457 visa conditions

 Source:

AAP

16 NOV 2016 – 3:38 PM  UPDATED 17 NOV 2016 – 2:35 PM

Foreign workers on a 457 visa will only be able to stay in Australia for 60 days after their employment ends instead of 90, under changes by the federal government.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton made the announcement on Wednesday, saying it will be implemented for those granted visas on or after this Saturday.

“The change will assist in ensuring that the 457 programme meets its intent of acting as a supplement to, rather than a substitute for, Australian workers,” he said.

It will also reduce the vulnerability of 457 visa holders, who are only permitted to work for an approved sponsor and who are not eligible for unemployment benefits, Mr Dutton said.

“The government values the contribution made by the many skilled persons who work in Australia on 457 visas, but where there is an Australian worker ready, willing and able to perform a role it is the government’s policy that they have priority.”

His statement follows increased pressure from Labor to tighten the rules surrounding the 457 visa program.

Mr Dutton criticised the opposition for increasing the time visa holders could remain in Australia after their jobs end from 28 days to 90.

Bill Shorten took his campaign on the issue to north Queensland on Wednesday.

The Labor leader believes there is a need for foreigners to fill skills gaps, but some of the jobs being advertised for 457 visas are occupations which could be carried out by Australians.

“We think that in a beauty parade we’d rather see an Australian tradesperson get the job than someone come in from overseas when there’s an Aussie that can do the same work,” he told reporters in Mackay.

Labor wants jobs to be advertised locally for at least four weeks before a foreigner is sourced.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull again took aim at Mr Shorten and his “extraordinary hypocrisy”, claiming he issued more 457 visas while employment minister than any of his predecessors or successors.

Mr Turnbull said Labor’s latest campaign was designed to cover up the divisions in the party on the issues of national security and border protection.

“Mr Shorten should stop his hypocritical complaints about skilled migration and stand with the government in saying ‘no’ to illegal migration, saying ‘no’ to people smugglers and supporting our legislation,” he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

“That’s what we ask him to do in Australia’s interests.”

Job Availability list for 457&RSMS 22.Nov

Job Availability list for 457&RSMS

*Massage Therapist
*Cook/Chef in Restaurant & Café
*Café & Restaurant Manager
*Customer Service Manager
*Manufacture Production Manager
*Retail Store Manager
*Hairdresser
*All kinds of Engineers & Labors Jobs
*Accountant (General)
*Graphic Designer
*Web Designer
*Web Developer
*Telecommunications Engineer
*Building Associate
*Web Administrator
*Automotive Electrician
*Motor Mechanic
*Bricklayer
*Carpenter and Joiner
*Carpenter
*Joiner
*Painting Trades Workers
*Electrician
*Cabler