The 457 skilled worker visa is a permit that was introduced primarily to address skill shortages, allowing Australian employers to bring in skilled workers from other countries, in circumstances where they cannot find a suitably qualified and experienced Australian national. The visa is valid for four years but the applicant has to be sponsored by an approved business and there are obligations on the part of the sponsor, as well as eligibility criteria for the applicant. If successful, then the holder of the 457 visa can bring in any dependant who are also eligible and they can also study and work in the country.
The obligations from the employer starts with becoming a sponsor either by becoming what is known as an approved standard business sponsor or through a labour agreement. The standard business sponsor stage involves setting out the details of the company applying for this form of sponsorship, getting testaments and records showing strong commitment to employing and training Australians and a proven track record as an Australian based business.
If the company is looking to sponsor overseas skilled workers in the meat or on-hire industries, or if they have special needs and requirements meaning they cannot sponsor workers using the standard business sponsorship route, they will have to enter into a labour agreement with the appropriate Australian government department.
To apply for a 457 visa, you have to have been nominated by an employer who has advised application for the visa and is offering work in Australia under either the standard business sponsorship or labour agreement. Other criteria for application is when the employer has nominated you for work in the country due to a transfer within the organisation, that means moving and working in Australia. Finally if you are a part of the family unit of the 457 visa applicant, who is eligible and meets the visa requirements, then you can also apply for the visa.
457 applicants also have to have a reasonable understanding of the English language; speaking, reading and writing, although there are a few exemptions. Applicants will be required to pass an English test unless they hold a UK, USA, Canadian, New Zealand or Irish passport. Applicants also have to demonstrate they have arranged adequate health cover for their time of stay, and pass all requirements of both health checks and background character checks. Sometimes they may be required to undertake an assessment of their vocational skills as well.
Once the visa has been successfully applied for then there are a few areas to note when living and working in Australia. Due to the temporary nature of the 457 visa, usually four years, when organising housing or transport, not every finance company will offer loans for housing, cars and so on, nor can property be bought without getting approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board. Commercial finance is difficult to get when you are not an Australian citizen or you do not hold permanent residency, so it is best for 457 visa holders to check with anyone of the professional finance operatives in Perth, if looking to apply for a loan as they can give the best advice and help with money matters. They should also be able to signpost you to companies who do offer car finance or loans to 457 skilled workers and is one less thing to have to worry about. Finally, it is worth keeping an eye on the Australian government website as this publishes up-to-date eligibility criteria, along with the current list of approved industries and employment roles as this can change depending on the economic circumstances of the country and the fluctuations in the labour market.
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