Global Trade Alert

On 18 March 2015, the Australian Government reported that they plan to reform the subclass 457 visa program in line with the recommendations presented by the independent review panel from September 2014.
 
The visa program allows foreign skilled labor force to work in Australia for up to four years in order to mitigate labor shortages in case there is no equally skilled Australian.
 
According to immigration law firm Fragomen, the key recommendations include:

• streamlined processing of sponsorship, nomination and visa applications for low-risk applications (risk factors include the status of the sponsoring entity, the type of position to be filled and the applicant's qualifications);
• more flexible sponsorship requirements;
• reduced processing times and fees;
• refocused compliance and monitoring activities for high-risk applicants;
• improved information sharing among government agencies;
• greater flexibility for proof of English language proficiency;
• increased sponsorship approval periods; and
• resumed use of the Ministerial Advisory Council to advise on the occupations eligible for the 457 visa program.