Increase in Temporary Work (Skilled) Subclass 457 Visas Fees

Visas Fees increase 457 Visas;

Applicants wishing to obtain the subclass 457 visa will incur increased visas fees from 1 July 2013. The original fee for this visa was $455 but will now be almost doubled to $900. It is estimated that this increase will earn the Government a further 47 million dollars in the 2013-14 financial year.

TSMIT Increase;

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) ensures that your workers will have enough money to be self reliant while they are in Australia. You must demonstrate that the market salary rate for the position you are seeking to fill is greater than the TSMIT. If the market salary rate for the position you wish to fill does not exceed the TSMIT, you will not be able to access the subclass 457 visa program. At present the TSMIT is set at AUD51 400 and is indexed annually. We expect the current TSMIT to increase from 1 July 2013 as it has done so for the last few years.

Anyone wanting to avoid this fee increase should aim to lodge an application before the 1 July 2013 deadline. This means you will need to lodge an application in June, with enough time for your visa application to be assessed prior to the 1^st of July, as the TSMIT needs to be met at time of assessment by a case officer. 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.