Officials explain Australian temporary work visa changes during visit
November 24 2009 by Liam Clifford
Lessons to introduce employers and workers to changes in the Australian temporary work visa.
Australian immigration officers have announced plans to visit
the Pilbara region in western Australia to speak to people about the changes to
the 457 visa obligations.
These changes were introduced in September this
year and are intended to make sure that temporary foreign workers are not abused
by their employers when working in Australia.
The officers are to run
free information sessions to make sure that local employers and their foreign
employees are aware of the new rules.
Another intended effect from the
changes to the Australian temporary work visas is to ensure that local wages are
not undercut through the employment of immigrants. Employers who sponsor
immigrants to work in Australia have certain obligations and can be fined as
much as A$33,000 if they do not fulfill these.
A spokesperson for the Australian
immigration office said, “we encourage employers, visa holders and other
stakeholders in the Pilbara region to attend one of the sessions to learn about
the changes, as well as to ask questions.” This gives people the opportunity to
access information on a face-to-face basis to ensure they are clear about what
is required of them.
Under the new rules, employers of existing 457 Australian visa holders have until January to start paying their staff Australian market rates.
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