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| Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme 119/857 Temporary Business Visa 457 |
- What is 457?
- Documentation checklist (What do I need to do?)
- Whats next?
What is the Temporary Business (Long Stay) Visa (Subclass 457)?
The subclass 457 visa allows employers to sponsor (employ) skilled, overseas workers for periods ranging from three months to four years. Minimum salary levels apply and sponsored workers must demonstrate sufficient skills to fill the position and have at least functional English speaking skills. The person you nominate can be of any age but should have qualifications equivalent to Australian diploma level qualifications (including trade qualifications) for the position.
Please note that
As background checks for this visa are streamlined, processing by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship may be faster than the RSMS visa or skilled independent migration visas.
Employers sponsoring skilled workers under the 457 visa program must cooperate with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and take responsibility for paying costs such as medical expenses for the sponsored person (or family members) or the costs of return travel (if the sponsored worker cannot meet the conditions).
The 457 visa is a temporary visa and 457 visa holders cannot access Medicare however, as of 1 August 2008, 457 visa holders can access free public education (Years 1 – 12) in Tasmania. For more information on accessing free public education, please contact John Palmer on 03 6233 7852.
Before you commence the sponsorship process you should download and read the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Booklet 11 – Sponsoring A Temporary Overseas Employee to Australia
IMPORTANT: Not all 457 visa applications have to be certified by the RCB. Only employers seeking to access the following regional concessions need to contact the RCB (In Tasmania, it is the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts). These include:
Please note that on 1 July 2009, the salary concessions will be raised by 4.1 per cent to:
Please
note that 457 visa holders cannot be paid less than the MSL. For more
information on regional concessions please visit the Department of
Immigration and Citizenship's website http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/eligibility-regional.htm
Steps to follow when applying for 457 with regional concession:
For employers seeking to access regional concessions the 457 Visa process consists of four (4) distinct stages:
Certification of the nomination by the Regional Certifying Body:
The employer lodges a nomination for a vacancy with Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.
The employer must satisfy all the requirements as outlined in the employer checklist (see below) demonstrating that:
Once Economic Development and Tourism is satisfied that all the criteria have been met, the application is certified and returned to the employer for lodgement with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Documentation required – Employer Checklist
Covering Letter
A covering letter with a brief description of the type of business, how the position will support the business, why the position cannot be filled from the local labour market and why your business is seeking regional concessions (skill/salary - see below).
DIAC’s Form 1196
This form is available at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's website and should be completed and lodged electronically (to ensure speedy processing). Ensure each applicable question on the form is completed and the form is signed. This must include completion of the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) code. For information about these occupational codes refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics website. If you are unsure about the ASCO code, please contact the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.
The RCB certifies Part B of Form 1196
Employment Contract including Position Description and Primary Duties
Provide a detailed job description that includes the qualifications, skills, and experience required, and the duties of the job. DIAC’s minimum salary level applies to 457 Visa applications. The job must be skilled or at least semi-skilled. Please note that there are some occupations which are not eligible under this visa program. If you have questions please contact theDepartment of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.
Evidence the position cannot be filled from the local labour market
Curriculum Vitae
If you have already found a skilled worker you would like to sponsor, please include a CV that outlines the qualifications, skills, employment experience and referees of the nominee. This should demonstrate that the person is able to perform the duties of the skilled job.
The RCB panel meets regularly in the second week every month with applications due on the first Friday of the month. Applications are assessed against the criteria specified on form 1196. If further information is required you will be contacted.
Once the panel is satisfied that all criteria have been met the application will be certified and returned to you for lodgement with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (within six months) for assessment against the relevant immigration requirements. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship will contact you directly with the outcome of your application and instructions about what to do next.
Once the nomination is approved by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the nominee must lodge the visa application within six months of receiving that approval.
Applications should be lodged electronically (with scanned documents) or faxed on the first Friday of each month to:
Business and Skilled Migration Unit
Phone: + 61 3 6233 5748
Email: rsms@development.tas.gov.au
Phone: + 61 3 6233 5748
Fax: + 61 3 6233 5800
Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts
22 Elizabeth Street, Hobart TAS 7000
GPO Box 646 Hobart TAS 7001 Australia
For further information on what documents to provide, please visit DIAC’s 457 checklist
Related links
Regional Certifying Body | Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme 119/857 | Temporary Business Visa 457
