New Bills Introduced to Facilitate Training Levy

Executive Summary 

Two bills were introduced last week that will facilitate the introduction of the training levy which will come into effect March 2017 to support the new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa.

The situation

New bills introduced in line with new visa program

A closer look

• Bill details. The Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017 and the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Bill 2017 were introduced to the Australian House of Representatives last week. These will facilitate the introduction of the training levy which will come into effect March 2018 to support the new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa. 
• Effect of bills. The bills specify the maximum amount of the nomination training contribution for the TSS and permanent employer sponsored visas for the current financial year as follows:
  • AUD 8,000 for a nomination relating to a temporary visa - the nomination charges for these visas will be calculated based on each year that the TSS holder is nominated (or part thereof); and
  • AUD 5,500 for a nomination relating to a permanent visa.
• Methodology described. The bills also provide the methodology by which the amounts for subsequent financial years will be indexed as well as the broader framework for payment procedures, penalties for late or underpayments of the levy and record keeping requirements, and details of which will be prescribed within the Migration Regulations. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected]. 

MARN: 0004980