AUSTRALIA’S 457 VISA PROGRAMME CHANGES MAY BE IN THE WORKS Proposals to reform Australian’s 457 visa programme are balanced and measured and are aimed at giving businesses access to the skilled workers they need to grow their businesses, according to Immigration Minister Scott Morrison. Giving a speech to mark the one year anniversary of the current Australian government, he pledged to respond to the independent panels proposals as soon as possible. I believe the panel’s recommendations keep faith with the necessary requirements for a robust integrity framework to support the 457 programme, while recognising and addressing the need to increase the skills capability of the domestic workforce, said Morrison. The Review has recommended that the market rate framework continue to operate as a core component of the 457 programme. I support the continuation of the market rate framework, but will, in line with the recommendations of the review, look favourably on introducing a deregulation measure that brings the income bar for exemption from market rate assessment in line with the top marginal tax rate of $180,000, he explained. I am also attracted to the proposals that support trusted legitimate sponsors and help them manage their compliance and reporting obligations more effectively, whilst making it more difficult for those with dishonest intent to make fraudulent application, he pointed out. I agree that there is a need to simplify the process of sponsorship renewal, extend reporting time frames and bring forward legislation to make it unlawful for sponsors to be paid by visa applicants for a migration outcome, reinforced by a robust penalty and conviction framework, he added. Morrison also hinted that there could be change to the English language requirements which he described as ‘unnecessarily restrictive. He said that they serve more as an industrial lock out rather than an honest attempt to ensure appropriate language skills which the government does believe is important. There are more practical ways to achieve what is needed here and moving to an averaging system would remove much unnecessary cost and complexity, he added. He pledged to look at ways in which Labour Agreement negotiation time can be improved to enable demand driven and responsive pathways for temporary migration, where standard 457 programme arrangements are not suitable. migration-to-australia.info/
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 23:14:13 +0000
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