Employers criticise new Australian visa rules
September 25 2009 by Matt Jones
Kingsley fast food has Australia visa troubles
An employer in Canberra has hit out at recent changes to the rules over the hiring of foreign Australian work visa holders, claiming it prevented him from recruiting vital staff from the Philippines.
Kingsley Varr, who runs fast food outlets in the city, says the changes to the 457 business visa policy, introduced on 14 September 2009, prevented him from recruiting six store managers from the Philippines. He had been planning the recruitment for a long time as part of his expansion plans, which would have led to the hiring of more Australian staff.
However, the policy changes made it impossible for him to recruit foreigners to work in Australia as the positions are categorised as in ‘local demand’ and are not listed on the 457 visa occupations list.
Varr says that the changes to the Australian visa system, along with delays in the processing of forms, have left his plans to open three new branches and recruit 80 new staff in limbo.
Varr says he has recruited Australian work visa holders twice before after failing to attract workers from the local area despite offering above-average wages. Varr explained, "It's silly to have one-size-fits-all. My understanding is all the fast food organisations in this region are unable to get managers."
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