On 18 April 2017, the Department of Immigration announced significant changes to skilled visa programs. As of 19 April 2017, the 457 occupations lists have been re-named:
For subclass 457 visas granted on or after 19 April 2017, under policy, the maximum four year visa period will now only be available where the primary applicant’s occupation is on the MLTSSL.
For all other applicants where their occupation is not on the MLTSSL, a maximum visa period of two years will be available. This includes primary visa applications, lodged, which are still pending a decision on 19 April 2017.
Additionally, some significant changes have been made to occupations eligible for temporary and permanent skilled migration. From a subclass 457 and 186 (direct entry only) perspective this includes:
Occupations removed from 457 and 186 (direct entry only) visa eligibility
From 19 April 2017, 216 occupations have been removed from the STSOL. This means that all affected un-finalised 457 applications will be requested by the Department to withdraw the relevant application and seek a refund of the government lodgement fees.
For the full list of now ineligible occupations under the 457 visa program, please click here.
Caveats added to 59 other occupations on the STSOL
Caveats are included ‘as a note’ in the relevant legislative instrument for certain occupations to limit their use in the context of the subclass 457 program.
Such caveats aim to ensure that the subclass 457 program is, as intended, focused on filling ‘skilled’ vacancies, with less risk of subclass 457 visa holders being hired to complete semi-skilled or low-skilled tasks, at the expense of the Australian workforce.
For a full list of occupations that now have a caveat, and the relevant details associated with each occupation, please click here.
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