Australian Temporary Skills Shortage Visa – What does it mean for Indians?

Australia Immigration department has offered a choice of visas for those individuals who seek to work in Australia. The government of Australia has recently decided of replacing its 457 provisional work visa with two latest Visa Classes that include requirements like work experience, proficiency in English language and testing of a labor market.

457 visa program replaced by Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa

From next year March month, the 457 visa is going to be replaced by another Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS) that has two streams. A short-term stream which is of two years with a wider range of jobs that would not permit Australia PR if two years are complete.  Another stream which is of four years that is dedicated to medium-term skills gaps. This would require high standard proficiency in the English language.

The cost of the short-term visa would be around $1150 and cost of medium-term applicants would be around $2400. Both the visas would need a checking for criminal record but presently it is not required.

Who will it affect?

People who got affected by the modifications in the visa are those with applications presently in for 457 Visas and whose occupations have been removed from the list of skilled occupations. In effect denying them the prospect to be issued a 457 visa and transition to Australia PR.

The changes also impact the employers who were looking to hire foreign employees who were seeking to Work in Australia for a period of four years that would permit them to then focus on growing their business.

The latest TSS Visa Program is going to come into effect from next year March, all the applications under this 457 visa would be assessed using latest stipulations and the latest list of skilled occupations.

There are around 95,000 individuals who are presently working under this 457 visa in Australia has not been affected by this move and would continue to Work in Australia under present situations.

How can Indians improve their chances of getting visa under latest rule?

This two year visa could be extended for additional two years. Those who seek to get Australia PR might require utilizing that time to up skill and reskill to get qualified for a job on the List of Medium and Long term strategic skills (MLTSSL). 

However, Australia Immigration department is make additional changes in its list of skilled occupations and also making adjustments to other visa classes.

What the alternations mean for business

The latest scheme would need employers to advertise for jobs prior filling them with overseas workers who seek to Immigrate and Work in Australia. The requirement criteria for employers to contribute towards Australian employers would change. It is predicted that the business would require to a turnover of $1million, or business should get minimum five employees for few jobs and industry segments.

Other changes in the visa

The government of Australia has implemented fresh eligibility pre requisites from July 2017 for Employer Nominated Scheme (subclass 186), direct entry stream and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).

Australia immigration has decreased the age limit to 45 from 50 for almost every applicant. Applicants should have got at least three years of job experience.  From next year march, jobs should on the list of medium and long term strategic skills and employers should pay the salary as per market rate and should meet the income threshold of around $53,900 for Temporary Skilled Migration. Concessions for provincial Australia would continue to be available.

More changes are expected

Australia immigration has to be clear about many other details that are missing related to the latest visa classes and more modification are expected so it is significant that you consult an Experienced Migration Agent like Global Tree before making decision of Migrating to Australia or sponsoring a foreign employee.