As of 18 April 2015, the period of time for approved sponsors of Subclass 457 visa holders to notify the Immigration Department of certain events and change in circumstances (like cessation of employment, change of work duties, etc) would increase from 10 working days to 28 calendar days.
Prior to 14 February 2014, approved Standard Business Sponsorships were subject to a nomination ceiling and will cease when that ceiling is reached.
All Standard Business Sponsorships approved on or after 14 February 2014 will not end if the number of approved nominations have been reached. It is possible to submit further nominations until the sponsorship expiry date.
From 23 November 2013, Standard Business Sponsors must undertake labour market testing (LMT) prior to lodging a nomination. The LMT requirement does not apply to nominations lodged by parties to a labour agreement.
Standard Business Sponsors must provide with their nomination details of their attempts to find suitably qualified Australian workers for the vacant position in the 12 months prior to lodging the nomination.
There are a number of exemptions to the LMT requirement.
The requirement for employers to undertake labour market testing to search for local candidates first will commence on 23 November 2013.