SUBCLASS 457 BUSINESS (LONG STAY) - STATE/TERRITORY SUMMARY REPORT 2009-10
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Trends in the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) Visa Program to August 2009
Key Points
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Demand for the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) (Subclass 457) visa program in 2009-10 is 43 per cent lower than the same period of the previous program year.
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Primary visa applications in August 2009 were 42 per cent lower than August 2008.
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Primary visa grants in August 2009 were 35 per cent lower than August 2008.
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Primary visa holders in Australia was 9 per cent lower at the end of August 2009 compared to February 2009, when there was a peak of Subclass 457 primary visa holders in Australia.
Visa application trends
In the same period in the 2008-09 program year, demand for the Subclass 457 visa program was strong. The number of Subclass 457 primary visa applications lodged in August 2009 was 42 per cent lower than August 2008. Application rates appear to have stabilised since April 2009.
In August 2009, Subclass 457 primary visa applications lodged by clients who were outside Australia represented 45 per cent of applications, compared to 59 per cent in August 2008.
* a) Visa cases involving a primary applicant but excluding Independent Executives. b) Provisional figures subject to change.
The total number of primary visa applications lodged to August in the 2009-10 program year was 43 per cent below the previous program year.
Applications for occupations in the ASCO Major Group 2 (Professional) account for 61 per cent of Subclass 457 primary visa applications lodged to date in 2009-10.
The greatest demand for the Subclass 457 visa program is in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, with 22 per cent of Subclass 457 primary visa applications lodged to date in this sponsor industry1 in 2009-10.
Visa grant trends
There were 3220 Subclass 457 primary visa grants in August 2009, which was 35 per cent lower than the same month in 2008.
In August 2008, grants to applicants outside Australia represented 60 per cent of Subclass 457 primary visa grants. In August 2009, grants to applicants outside Australian represented 52 per cent.
* a) Visa cases involving a primary applicant but excluding Independent Executives. b) Provisional figures subject to change.
Year to date, 64 per cent of primary applications granted have been for occupations in the ASCO Major Group 2 (Professionals).
A quarter of primary applications granted have been for nominated positions in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry.
26 per cent of all primary applications granted have been to citizens of the United Kingdom.
Number of Subclass 457 visa holders in Australia
Following a peak of 83 130 Subclass 457 primary visa holders in Australia at the end of February 2009, the number of visa holders has continued to decline. At the end of August 2009 there were 75 670 Subclass 457 primary visa holders in Australia. This is also lower than August 2008 when there were 78 140 primary visa holders in Australia.
Of the 75 670 Subclass 457 primary visa holders in Australia at the end of August, 39 830 visa holders were in occupations in the ASCO Major Group 2 (Professional).
Flow of Subclass 457 visa holders to permanent residence
The flow of Subclass 457 visa holders to permanent residence continues to be strong. The number of Subclass 457 primary visa holders granted a permanent residence visa in August 2009 was 58 per cent higher than August 2008.
Sanctions of sponsors
Employers who are approved as a sponsor are monitored to ensure that they are honouring their sponsorship undertakings. If the sponsor does not comply with these undertakings the department may impose sanctions. In August 2009, the department issued 13 sanctions. Year to date in the 2009-10 program year, 28 sanctions have been issued which is 4 per cent more than the same period last program year.
Legislation and regulatory amendments
The Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act, which seeks to improve the integrity of the 457 visa program by strengthening the enforceable sponsorship framework, received Royal Assent on 18 December 2008. The Worker Protection Act is scheduled to commence on 14 September 2009.
Further information
Further information about the changes announced by the Australian Government is available on the the Department's website.
Further information about the legislative changes to commence on 14 September 2009 is available on the Department's website.
Table 1.01 Number of primary applications lodged in 2009-10 to 31 August 2009 by nominated position location
Table 1.02 Number of primary applications lodged in 2009-10 to 31 August 2009 by sponsor industry
Table 1.03 Number of primary applications lodged in 2009-10 to 31 August 2009 by nominated occupation
Table 1.04 Number of applications granted in 2009-10 to 31 August 2009 by nominated position location and applicant type
Table 1.05 Top 15 Citizenship countries for applications granted in 2009-10 to 31 August 2009 by applicant type
Table 1.06 Number of primary applications granted in 2009-10 to 31 August 2009 by government sector and nominated position location
Table 1.07 Number of primary applications granted in 2009-10 to 31 August 2009 by nominated position location
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1Sponsors indicate the industry sector of the primary activity of the business on the sponsorship application form
Comment on this post
The 457 Visa Assistance Team
October 02, 2009 13:48:44
If your employer is the Mackay Hospital / Qld Health, it is unlikely that when they employed you, they would know that DIAC would change their policies regarding 457 visas and the main options of permanent residency visas such as 175 General Skilled, ENS or RSMS.
If you would like to complete the free online visa assement form here on this website, then you ca get your particular information checked by a Migration Consultant.
Lucia Chan
October 01, 2009 11:42:14
Working in Mackay Hospital, QLD fsince November 17th 08. Was told that I could apply for my permanant PR after 6 months of work as a RNurse. I am on a 457 visa.
Now I have been told that the government is changing their policy. Feeling cheated. My employer (QLD Heath)is not honoring their words and the contact.
This happened to Dr. Kolarik and Dr. Hartman who I am working with.
The 457 Visa Assistance Team
October 01, 2009 10:06:49
If you would like to complete the free online visa assessment form here then we can have one of our Migration Consultants review your information and advise you on what your best options are.
SALVADOR C CAMBAY
September 27, 2009 19:35:50
Iwant to know if i qualify to apply to permanent resident
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