Changes to the way 457 Visa Applications are made

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have announced a new version of the Australian New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). ANZSCO is used by DIAC case officers to guide them as to the duties and description of nominated occupations used under many visa subclasses.

The new ANZSCO (Version 1.2) and a summary of changes is available on the ABS website.

Changes to the Way 457 Visa Applications Are Made

As of the 1 July 2013 it will no longer be possible to make a paper based 457 visa applications.

Previously offshore standard business sponsors along with subsequent applicants of 457 visa holder where required to make paper based applications. (Recently subsequent entrants have been able to apply online). In some other circumstances applicants were also required to make paper based lodgements. From 1 July it seems all applications must now be made online.

DIAC have advised that there are provisions in place to make paper based applications; however this will only be available where an applicant would become unlawful the day after attempting, but failing, to lodge an application. This would be due to DIAC system outages and applicants physically unable to use DIAC online lodgement system to lodge a valid application before becoming unlawful.

If you have any further queries in relation to the subclass 457 visas or wish to lodge an application, please contact a member of the migration team at Ferguson Cannon Lawyers.