The Subclass 457 Visa allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved employer for up to four years.
457 Visa holders can:
-> Live and work in Australia for up to four years
-> Include immediate family on 457 visa
-> Travel to and from Australia
-> Extend your 457 visa (New applications will be lodged under TSS visa)
-> Transition to permanent residency (if eligible)
-> Change employers under a new nomination
The Temporary Work Subclass (Subclass 457) Visa allows skilled workers and their families to live and work in Australia for an approved business for up to:
• four years after it is granted – if your occupation is listed on the MLTSSL.
• two years after it is granted – if your occupation is listed on the STSOL
See all occupations listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation Lists.
If your 457 visa is expiring soon and you would like to continue working for your employer:
• you may be eligible to apply for a 482 TSS visa
• you may also be eligible to apply for one of the below permanent employer sponsored visas:
• 187 visa (RSMS visa)
• 186 visa (ENS visa)
If you have been working for your employer for two or three years, click here to find out more about applying for a permanent visa.
Visa conditions
If you hold a Subclass 457 Visa, there are certain conditions that apply to you while you are in Australia.
As the primary visa applicant, you must:
• only work in your nominated occupation
• start work within 90 days of arrival in Australia (If you applied offshore)
• start work within 90 days of approval in Australia (If you applied onshore)
• only work for your nominating employer
• obtain any mandatory licence, registration or membership necessary to perform your occupation in Australia
Change of employer
If you currently hold a 457 visa and would like to change employers, you don’t need to apply for a new visa, you just need to apply for a new nomination.
The nomination must be approved prior to starting work for your new employer.
If you are looking for a new employer to sponsor you, take a look at our employer sponsored job vacancy list.
If you would like to apply for an employer sponsored work visa, you may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 482 TSS Visa click here to find out more.
The Subclass 457 visa is closed to new applications, however, this visa has been replaced by the new TSS (Subclass 482) Visa.
The TSS Visa has three visa streams and the requirements are very similar to the 457 Visa, with some slight changes.
-> Applicants must have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
– Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
– Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
– Regional Occupation List (ROL)
-> Applicants must be nominated by a Standard Business Sponsor or a business that has applied for a Standard Business Sponsorship.
-> The nomination must be approved prior to starting work for your new employer.
If you are looking for a new employer to sponsor you, take a look at our employer sponsored job vacancy list.
-> Applicants must have at least 2 years work experience in the nominated occupation to be eligible to apply for the TSS Visa (457 visa replacement)
-> Applicants must score one of the below English scores, depending on which visa stream they plan to apply for
– 5, with a minimum of 4.5 in each test component of the IELTS (or equivalent test)
– a minimum of 5 in each test component of the IELTS (or equivalent test)
-> There is no age limit for primary applicants of the 457 visa.
-> Children must be under 23 years. Secondary applicants 23 years and over cannot be included in your application. (Unless there are exceptional circumstances).
-> Applicants must meet health and character requirements
-> You may need Private Health Cover
This visa is now closed to new applications
If your 457 visa was lodged or granted before April 18th 2017, you may still be eligible to apply for permanent residency under the old Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Occupation
If your occupation has been moved to the short-term or regional occupation list, or removed from the skilled occupation lists altogether, you can still apply for permanent residency through the transition stream
Age
The age limit for applying for permanent residency through the transition stream remains at 50 years.
Work experience
You are required to work for the same nominating employer for two years before applying for PR
Training Levy – Skilling Australians Fund (SAF)
Your permanent visa application will attract the new training levy (SAF) of $3000 or $5000. This levy must be paid by your employer.
If you aren’t sure whether you are covered by these grandfathering provisions, speak to one of our migration agents face-to-face, over the phone or via Skype.
This visa is now closed to new applications
Applicants demonstrate the skills required to fill the vacant role. Depending on the nominated occupation and the applicants country of origin, a skill assessment may be required before applying for the 457 visa.
SALARY
457 Visa applicants must be offered a minimum remuneration above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). TSMIT is set by the Department of Home Affairs and currently $53,900 per annum.
The salary must also meet the market rate for the nominated occupation.
(Some occupations have a minimum salary which is set higher than TSMIT)
CHANGING EMPLOYERS
457 visa holders who wish to change employers will be applying for a new Subclass 482 TSS Nomination. The TSS Nomination application will need to be approved prior to starting work with the new employer. If you start work for your new employer before the nomination is approved, your visa may be cancelled by the Department.
IMPORTANT: 457 applicants who wish to change employers now will lose permanent visa grandfathering provisions.
COST OF NOMINATION TRANSFER
The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) training levy applies to all employer sponsored nomination applications.
Employers wishing to nominate a 457 visa holder will be required to pay the levy depending on their income:
Small Businesses (Turnover less than $10 million) will pay $1,200 per year, per nominated 457 Visa holder
Other Businesses (Turnover more than $10 million) will pay $1,800 per year, per nominated 457 Visa holder
For example, a business with a turn over $10M nominates an applicant for the remaining two years of their visa would pay $3,600 upfront at nomination lodgement.
What is the Training Levy (SAF)?
The Department states that the SAF levy provides a tangible demonstration of how the TSS (or 457) employer sponsored visas support training opportunities for Australians. The business does not receive any training by paying the SAF.
If you aren’t sure whether you are covered by these grandfathering provisions, speak to one of our migration agents face-to-face, over the phone or via Skype.
No – Under no circumstances can the sponsored employee pay for SAF levy
Are there any exemptions to the SAF?
No – Unfortunately, the business must pay the SAF to sponsor any 457 or TSS Visa holders
LABOUR MARKET TESTING
Employers are required to conduct labour market testing before lodging a nomination for their prospective 457 worker. This labour market testing has very specific criteria which must be met.
This visa is now closed to new applications
If you already hold a 457 visa and would like to add family members to your visa, click here to find out more about the 457 family visa.
457 visa holders may be able to include the below family members to their application:
• partner
• dependent child
• partner’s dependent child
Family members must meet the health and character requirements.
More about adding family members to your 457 visa click here
On 18 April 2017, the Australian Government announced that the 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa was to be abolished and replaced with the completely new Temporary Skill Shortage TSS visa Subclass 482 which will support businesses in addressing genuine skill shortages.
The 457 Visa has been closed to new applications. You may wish to apply for one of the below employer sponsored visas instead:
• 482 TSS Visa
• 186 Visa (ENS)
• 187 Visa (RSMS)
If you are already in Australia holding a 457 Temporary Work Visa and you are looking for an employer, go to our current vacancies page to see if we have a suitable position for you.
If you would like to discuss your Australian visa eligibility with a registered migration agent, click here to book a consultation.
Other Sponsored Visas
View other similar visa options that could be applicable to you.
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