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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Government officials have provided the Migration Institute of Australia with updated information about the forthcoming Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa programme.
What does the change mean? Officials confirmed that the TSS visa programme will be launched in the first half of March. They said that a requirement that applicants be ‘genuine temporary entrants’ will automatically be satisfied in most cases and that tests to determine whether sponsoring employers are discriminating against Australians will be the exception, not the norm. A number of details must still be finalised, including details related to the introduction of new labour market testing requirements, plans to expand the accredited sponsor scheme, streamline ‘lower risk’ applications and develop a Skilling Australians Fund.
Background: The Australian Government announced in April 2017 that it would abolish the Subclass 457 Temporary Skilled Work visa and replace it with the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa programme with an eye toward tighter controls over migration and the hiring of skilled foreign workers. In January, officials released some information aimed at helping employers begin to prepare for the change. The MIA met with Department of Home Affairs to seek additional information on the TSS visa programme. According to the MIA, Department officials said:
The Department also told MIA it was looking to expand the accredited sponsor scheme and that it would prioritise ‘lower risk’ TSS visa applicants. The details for both of these initiatives have not yet been finalised.
BAL Analysis: While some key parts of the TSS visa programme have not been finalised, employers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the information that is available. BAL can assist employers in preparing for the switch to the TSS visa programme and in determining whether it is best to submit nominations and visa applications before or after the March implementation. BAL can also help employers plan for labour market testing, salary and other requirements, to the extent that they are known.
MARN: 0534021
This alert has been provided by BAL Australia. For additional information, please contact australia@bal.com.
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