The Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection is conducting a wide-ranging review of skilled migration and temporary entry visa programs. In line with the review, the Department has released proposals – as suggested by key Australian businesses - which focus on facilitating the entry of intracompany transferees on assignments up to twelve months. Currently, any assignment requiring travel to Australia beyond six months requires a subclass 457 work visa.
The proposed program eliminates the need for employers of intracompany transferees to conduct labor market tests and for employees to take English language tests, both current requirements of the subclass 457 visa. A genuine needs test and minimum salary requirements would remain.
Fragomen’s Campaign and Submission
Fragomen has campaigned for the implementation of such a program for several years, and presented an operating model to Parliament in June 2013.
Fragomen also recently submitted a proposal which highlights the commercial imperative of a visa system that facilitates global mobility and business development in Australia.
Fragomen has been invited to attend a stakeholder forum to discuss the proposals and its submissions with Department representatives.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers should be prepared for potential changes to the skilled migration and temporary entry visa programs, and should contact their immigration professional to discuss options if changes to the programs are made.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
MARN: 0849574
© 2015 Fragomen
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