Australia removes occupations from temporary business visa program

May 18 2009 by Bryan Palmer

Australia has revealed which occupations are to be removed from the temporary business Australian visa (subclass 457) program, following the government’s recent announcement that the program was to be reduced.

Occupations in the agricultural, clerical and tourism industries have been removed from the Australian visa program. In addition, the English language requirements have been upgraded.

The temporary business Australian visa (subclass 457) program allows employers to sponsor foreign nationals to work in Australia on a temporary basis. Under the terms of the program, employers must first show that there are no local workers available to take the position before an overseas worker receives sponsorship. Even so, the Australian immigration department has taken further measures to cut back the program so that local workers improve their chances of employment during the recession.

A spokesperson from Australia’s immigration department said: "This change will ensure employers using the 457 visa program to gain access to these occupations satisfy all their obligations under the program, including those on training."

Cuts to the Australian skilled migration program were announced at the same time as the changes to the 457 visa program. However, no strategic changes have yet been announced that will make the Australian skilled migration program more targeted.

See the latest Immigration News