Summary of Australian 457 visa issues

On 18 April 2017, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister of Australia and the Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection jointly announced that the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457 visa) will be abolished and replaced with the completely new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa which will support businesses in addressing genuine skill shortages.

457 visa issues:

  • The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL) have now been replaced as of the 19th of April 2017 with two new lists referred to as the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
  • New 457 sponsorships, nomination or visa applications lodged after the 19th of April 2017 must ensure that the occupation nominated is on the new Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) introduced as of the 19th of April 2017.
  • Any 457 sponsorship, nomination or visa applications for the occupations that are NOT listed in STOL or MLTSSL that have not yet received a decision by the 18th April will NOT be approved.
  • After 18th April 2017 –457 visa applicants for the occupations listed in STSOL can be granted a temporary work visa for 2 years and 457 visa applicants for the occupations listed in MLTSSL can be granted a temporary work visa for 4 years.
  • From March 2018, the 457 visa will be abolished and replaced with the TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa. The TSS visa will be comprised of a Short-Term stream of up to two years, and a Medium-Term stream of up to four years.
  • Organisations sponsoring skilled individuals will still need to meet Labour Market Testing and training contribution requirements.
  • From March 2018 – applicants must have 2 years FULL TIME work experience prior to applying for the TSS.

If you have any questions regarding the 457 visa, STSOL or MLTSSL, please contact our team of Registered Migration Agents and Immigration Lawyers.

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