New Criteria for Subclass 457 Visa Sponsors and Streamlined Processing Program Forthcoming
June 14, 2016
Country / Territory
On July 1, 2016, the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection will implement new qualifying criteria for Accredited Sponsors and will reduce the requisite volume of applications that a sponsor must file to qualify for Accredited Sponsor status. Additionally, a streamlined processing program for eligible subclass 457 Accredited Sponsors will become available on that date.
New Qualifying Criteria for Accredited Sponsors
The following criteria for Accredited Sponsorship will apply starting July 1:
- All subclass 457 employees must sign a written employment contract that includes at least the minimum employment rights as required under the National Employment Standards (unless their occupation is exempt from this requirement);
- All Australian employees must be paid at least the current market salary rate; and
- Companies must provide details of all principals, directors and business activities undertaken by the employer to the Department as is required for standard business sponsorship applications.
Additionally, to open Accredited Sponsor status to more employers, starting July 1, 2016, the requisite volume of applications that a sponsor must file to qualify for Accredited Sponsor status will be reduced to ten over the past 24 months, instead of 30 in the past twelve months.
Streamlined Processing
Starting July 1, 2016, Accredited Sponsors that the Department considers low-risk may be eligible for streamlined processing and in some cases, auto-approval without intervention by a case officer. The streamlined processing arrangements are summarized in the below table:
Those occupations about which the Department has integrity or genuineness concerns may not be eligible for streamlined processing arrangements.
What This Means for Employers
Current Accredited Sponsors that do not meet the new eligibility requirements after July 1, 2016 may have their Accredited status revoked and will not be eligible for the new streamlined processing arrangements.
The Department will be writing to existing Accredited Sponsors to provide the opportunity to upgrade their status to access the new streamlined processing arrangements.
Fragomen will contact current Accredited Sponsors and employers that are likely to qualify under the new rules and will report further developments as they occur.
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: 0849574
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses how those planning to attend the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris can prepare for their trip from an immigration perspective.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of immigration programs and relief options by USCIS for Venezuelan nationals amidst the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés shares why Ireland needs a standardised visa system that’s faster and more consistent.
Blog post
This blog discusses Australia's Resident Return visa and its associated "compelling reasons" criteria.
Blog post
Senior Associate Sarah Melnick discusses the available immigration options for individuals not selected in this year's H-1B Cap Lottery.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha dados recentes sobre o aumento de vistos de trabalho para profissionais da produção de proteína halal.
Fragomen news
Silicon Valley Managing Partner Kristi Nevarez is recognized as an honoree in the Silicon Valley Business Journal's 2024 Latinx Business Leadership Awards.
Blog post
This blog discusses the complexities individuals face when navigating international travel while awaiting their residence permit in France.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses how those planning to attend the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris can prepare for their trip from an immigration perspective.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of immigration programs and relief options by USCIS for Venezuelan nationals amidst the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés shares why Ireland needs a standardised visa system that’s faster and more consistent.
Blog post
This blog discusses Australia's Resident Return visa and its associated "compelling reasons" criteria.
Blog post
Senior Associate Sarah Melnick discusses the available immigration options for individuals not selected in this year's H-1B Cap Lottery.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha dados recentes sobre o aumento de vistos de trabalho para profissionais da produção de proteína halal.
Fragomen news
Silicon Valley Managing Partner Kristi Nevarez is recognized as an honoree in the Silicon Valley Business Journal's 2024 Latinx Business Leadership Awards.
Blog post
This blog discusses the complexities individuals face when navigating international travel while awaiting their residence permit in France.