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Minimum Salary Levels under Subclass 457 program – changes from 1 July 2009

On 1 July 2009 a Legislative Instrument (Gazette Notice) was issued, increasing the Minimum Salary Level (MSL) by 4.1 per cent. This increase takes effect from 1 July 2009 and applies to all new and existing Subclass 457 visa holders.

See: Legislative Instrument of Minimum Salary Levels and occupations – Subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa (520KB PDF file)

Subclass 457 - skills assessment

Australia requires all visa applicants to satisfy the criteria for grant of their visa, thus Subclass 457 visa applicants must satisfy certain skills requirements. Where necessary for safety or to prevent fraud, Australia will undertake more extensive skills assessments to confirm skills claimed by applicants.

Australia is improving its skills assessment processes to provide for formal skills testing of some trade occupations.   The pilot of this arrangement will commence on 1 July 2009 and be extended as capacities are increased.

More information on this skills assessment process will be made available on the Trades Recognition Australia website.
See: Trades Recognition Australia

Subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) sponsor attestation

On 1 April 2009, the Minster for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Chris Evans announced a requirement for sponsors to attest in writing that they have a strong record of, or a demonstrated commitment to:

  • employing local labour
    and
  • non-discriminatory employment practices.
See: Frequently Asked Questions – Attestation

Chefs and Head Chefs – IELTS

Applicants who lodged Subclass 457 visa applications before 14 April 2009 as chefs and head chefs (ASCO 3322-11 and ASCO 3322-01) that were not finalised, were previously advised to provide evidence that they had successfully been tested as having English proficiency at IELTS 4.5.

As at 2 June 2009, applicants in this situation no longer need to meet this requirement. Subclass 457 visa applicants in this position may wish to contact their relevant case officer for further information.

Frequently asked Questions for Subclass 457

Due to the current economic climate, the number of skilled positions within the Australian labour market is decreasing.
See:

English language requirement – Subclass 457 visa program

On 14 April 2009 the English language requirement for Subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa applicants increased from an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 4.5 to 5. This requirement applies to people making a subclass 457 application on or after 14 April 2009 and, for the first time, applies to people applying as chefs or head chefs (ASCO 3322-11 or 3322-01).
See: Changes to the Subclass 457 visa program – English language requirements

Subclass 457 Integrity Review final report by Ms Barbara Deegan

On 14 November 2008 the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans, released the report of the Visa Subclass 457 Integrity Review conducted by industrial relations expert Barbara Deegan.
See: Subclass 457 Integrity Review

Changes to salary levels for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

The salary level for occupations that are eligible for the ENS increased from 1 August 2008.
See: Employer eligibility – Employer Nomination Scheme

Information for workers – Subclass 457 visa program

Information for workers about the Subclass 457 visa is available in the following documents. This information is available in several languages.
See:

Information on employer sponsorship requirements – Subclass 457 visa program

The letters below outline to sponsors of Subclass 457 visa workers changes to the Minimum Salary Level and sponsorship requirements as a result of the gas crisis in Western Australia.

Information on Subclass 457 employer sponsorship requirements and Minimum Salary Levels has also been published.
See:

Subclass 457 - External Reference Group

Following concerns raised in a number of industries (particularly in the construction, mining and tourism sectors) the Australian Government announced a package of measures designed to address skills and labour shortages within the Australian economy.
See: Subclass 457 - External Reference Group

Identified recruitment agents for Chinese skilled workers – Subclass 457 visa program

An agreement between Australia and The People’s Republic of China establishes an ethical framework for Chinese recruitment agents to supply Australian employers with skilled overseas workers.
See: Identified recruitment agents for Chinese skilled workers

Arrangements for the on-hire industry – Subclass 457 visa program

Labour agreement arrangements for the on-hire industry in Australia came into effect from 1 October 2007.
See: Labour agreement arrangements for the on-hire industry

Arrangements for the meat industry – Subclass 457 visa program

Labour agreements arrangements for the meat industry in Australia came into effect from 10 September 2007.
See: Labour agreement arrangements for the meat industry