Change in visa condition 8107 for Subclass 457 visa

From 19 November 2016, the time period that Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled) visa holders can remain in Australia after ceasing employment with their current sponsor will be reduced from 90 days to 60 days.  This change will be applicable to 457 visas granted on or after that date

If 457 visa holders have not found a new sponsor without 60 days, then they will be in breach of their visa condition 8107 and their visa may be cancelled.

The purpose of this change is to strengthen the integrity of the subclass 457 visa program. It is intended to lessen the vulnerability of subclass 457 visa holders to informal employment and reduce the period in which they can compete within the Australian labour market for further employment.

Source: Federal Register of Legislation

From 1 July 2016, a number of changes will be made to the SOL and CSOL.

The following occupations will be removed from the Skilled Occupation List and added to the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List:

• 233611  Mining Engineers (excluding Petroleum)
• 233612  Petroleum Engineers
• 234912  Metallurgists
• 251311  Environmental Health Officers
• 251312  Occupational Health & Safety Advisers
• 411211  Dental Hygienists
• 411212  Dental Prosthetists
• 411213  Dental Technicians
• 411213  Dental Therapists

The following occupations will be added to the Skilled Occupation List:

• 251912  Orthotist or Prosthetist
• 25 2711  Audiologists

These changes will be applicable to the following visa subclasses as well as invitations issued on or after 1 July 2016:

• Subclass 186
• Subclass 189
• Subclass 190
• Subclass 402
• Subclass 457
• Subclass 485
• Subclass 489

The Government has announced a reciprocal Work and Holiday visa arrangement with Singapore. The visa will allow residents aged 18 to 30 years of age to travel, live, work and study in each other’s country. The agreement will enable up to 500 young adults in each country per year to enjoy a holiday in each other’s country, during which they may engage in short-term work and study.

The Government also plans to introduce a long validity, multiple-entry visitor visa for Singaporean nationals to visit Australia.  The new visitor visa initiative will “further boost tourism and business links between Australia and Singapore and allowing for a longer validity period will encourage repeat visits …”

A start date will be announced at a later date.

The Government has signed a new Work and Holiday arrangement with Hungary today.

The agreement will enable up to 200 young adults between 18 and 30 to travel to each other’s country for one year to enjoy a holiday in each other’s country, during which they may engage in short-term work and study.

A start date is yet to be announced.

There will be a streamlined pathway to Australian citizenship for New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia.  These new arrangements will give many New Zealanders permanent residence status and enable them to apply for Australian citizenship.

The new visa pathway will be available from 1 July 2017, for New Zealand citizens who arrived post 26 February 2001, but on or before, the date of the announcement, 19 February 2016, if they meet the following criteria:

• have been living in Australia for five years;
• have been earning at least the equivalent to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) for the qualifying period; and
• passing mandatory health, character and security checks.

The pathway will be made available within the Skilled Independent category of the General Skilled Migration stream of Australia’s annual Migration Programme.

The reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement between Australia and the Slovak Republic and Australia and Slovenia have commenced this year.  The arrangement allow up to 200 young adults between 18 and 30 to visit each other’s country fro up to 12 months.