Skip to main content
Global HR Lawyers

Scrapping of the Australian Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (Subclass 457)

20 April 2017

On 18 April 2017, the Turnbull Government announced its plans to reform the employer sponsored skilled migration visa routes.

Specifically, the Australian Government will be abolishing the Subclass 457 visa route and replacing it with the new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in March 2018. The TSS visa may be issued under a short-term stream of up to two years, or a medium-term stream of up to four years and will focus on addressing the genuine skill shortages in the Australian workforce to prioritise the Australian resident labour market.

The TSS visa will include new tightened requirements, some of which include more targeted occupation lists, a requirement for foreign nationals to have at least two years’ of work experience in their skilled occupation, a minimum market salary rate to ensure that foreign nationals will not be engaged to undercut Australian workers, mandatory labour market testing, restrictions on onshore renewals, an extension of the permanent residence eligibility period to three years instead of two, a non-discriminatory workforce test to ensure that Australian workers are not discriminated against, a strengthened requirement for employers to contribute training Australian workers and a mandatory requirement for penal clearance certificates to be provided.

Related items

Second round of changes to Australia's Subclass 457 visa

13 June 2017

Following on from our last e-flash on Australia’s recent immigration reform to scrap and replace the existing Subclass 457 visa which took immediate effect in April, the second round of immigration changes will be taking effect on 1 July 2017.

Immigration law across APAC 亞太區移民法

Our Hong Kong office offers high quality and cost-effective global mobility and immigration support across the APAC region.

Asia Pacific 亞太區

We have been operating in the Asia Pacific for many years, working with our clients as they expand and develop their businesses in the region, and as they seek to do business in Europe and the UK.

Back To Top