New Training Benchmarks for sponsored temporary and permanent visas announced in 2017 Federal Budget

Training Benchmarks will be phased out and a new Skilling Australians Fund will be established which will raise revenue of $1.2 billion over the forward estimates period. The government says the new Skilling Australians Fund will be used to meet future skills needs, with a focus on apprenticeships and traineeships. For more information on the Fund, please click here to see the media release from the government.

The Skilling Australians Fund Levy will apply to employers sponsoring workers on temporary Skilled Work Subclass 457, permanent Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 visas and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Subclass 187 visas. There will be different charges for a business depending on the turnover.

A business with a turnover of less than $10 million per year will be required to:

• make an upfront payment of $1,200 per visa per year for each employee on a Temporary Skill Shortage visa which will replace the Subclass 457
• a one-off payment of $3,000 for each employee being sponsored for a permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa or a permanent Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa.

A business with a turnover of $10 million or more per year will be required to:

• make an upfront payment of $1,800 per visa year for each employee on a Temporary Skill Shortage visa
• a one-off payment of $5,000 for each employee being sponsored for a permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa or a permanent Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa.

This will be a simpler method of clouting the payments compared to the current system based on a percentage of the turnover.

If you require assistance with training benchmarks, sponsored temporary visas or permanent visas, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents as we are always willing to assist you with your migration law needs.