Prime Minister Malcolm Turnball has announced today in a video posted on Facebook that he will be abolishing the 457 Visa, and replacing it with new temporary visas.
Hear it here first – we're putting jobs first and we’re putting Australians first by abolishing 457 visas. Watch the clip below to find out what these reforms mean.
Posted by Malcolm Turnbull on Monday, 17 April 2017
The Federal Government will replace the 457 Visa with the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa:
Replacement Visa 1: A two year temporary working visa without the option to apply for permanent residency at the end of that
Replacement Visa 2: A four year temporary working visa targeted at higher and specialized skills.
In addition to the changes the Federal Government will also remove a number of occupations on the CSOL. However, there has been no confirmation as to what occupation will be removed.
The Federal Government has not confirmed a date as to when the changes will apply. Current 457 visa holders and applicants with pending 457 visa applications will not be affected.
The new visa would be “specifically designed to recruit the best and the brightest in the national interest”, he said.
Today’s announcement follows last months crackdown on 457 visas, when Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the Government would scrap the fast-track arrangements in place for 457 skilled work visas for fast food chains.
