Many people and businesses believe that the 457 is now abolished, since the Prime Minister (Malcolm Turnbull) made a surprise announcement of the 457 abolishment. This is the number one visa myth today.

Contrary to popular belief, the 457 still exists. It is still the primary visa mechanism to allow Australian businesses to sponsor and employ international skilled talent. The 457 program will remain in effect until March 2018, in which it will be replaced by the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.

In the meantime, Australian businesses that need to hire international talent can still use the 457 program to fill vacant skilled positions within their business or organisation. To see what occupations are acceptable for sponsorship under the 457 visa program, visit the following links below:

• To sponsor someone on a 457 visa for 2 years: https://old.visaone.com.au/457-abolishment-news-short-term-skilled-occupation-list-stsol/
• To sponsor someone on a 457 visa for 4 years: https://old.visaone.com.au/457-abolishment-news-mltssl-sol-replacement/

The requirements for businesses to sponsor international skilled talent on a 457 visa have remained the same. To summarise, the main requirements are:

To apply to become an approved 457 Business Sponsor

• Demonstrate that the business is a lawful operating business / organisation
• Have no adverse information with regards to the business / organisation
• Show that you employ local labour, or commit to employing local labour
• Have an established training record if operating for more than 12 months
• Show an auditable training plan if operating for less than 12 months
• Note: Please contact us if you are an overseas business as requirements may vary

To nominate a person to fill a vacant position with a 457 Visa holder

• Identify the person you are intending to sponsor
• Demonstrate the genuineness of the position
• Show that you have tested the local labour market (some exemptions apply)
• Offer an employment contract equivalent to Australian standards
• Offer the market rate salary for the position (which must be above $53,900)
• Assess that the person you are intending to sponsor has the necessary skills

If you have an Australian business or organisation that wishes to sponsor someone to work for you, you can still do so under the 457 visa framework.

The only changes that have come into effect are the changes that were effective from the 19th of April 2017, which have primarily affected the occupations lists. You can read about these changes here: https://old.visaone.com.au/457-abolishment-real-changes-that-will-affect-you-now/.

If you require professional assistance figuring out whether you can still sponsor your workers under the 457, please email us at solutions@VisaOne.com.au.

If you have an urgent case matter which requires immediate assistance, please call us on 1300 61 99 77 (or +61 7 3181 5588).