457 Visa News, 457 Visa Updates and Comments
Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans Denys 457 Visa Holders additional time to find new sponsors
(c) 457 Visa Assistance Team
Under the current rules of the 457 Visa program, if temporary workers on a 457 Visa lose their jobs, they have 28 days to find a new one or risk being deported.
The Australian Government’s review of the program, headed by Barbara Deegan, recommended this be increased to 90 days to give workers more chance to find alternative employment.
But immigration Minister Chris Evans last week ruled out any extension of time for such workers.
Salaries slashed as jobless line grows
(c) Sunday Mail
EMPLOYERS are tightening the screws on job-seekers with salaries on offer across a range of industries taking a sudden downturn.
As more job-seekers flood the market, base salaries are being reduced, bonuses are being trimmed and boom-time perks are being wiped out, an investigation by The Sunday Mail has found. Figures released last week showed unemployment had increased to 5.7 per cent nationally, with Queensland posting the biggest state-wide increase among the jobless.
Increases to DIAC Australian Immigration Visa Fees and Charges changes for 1 July 2009
(c) immi.gov.au
Fees and charges are reviewed on 1 July each year.
A number of Visa Application Charges (VACs) and other fees will increase on 1 July 2009 in accordance with recent decisions made by the Australian Government. A number of other VAC and fees will increase in accordance with changes in the Consumer Price Index, or in the case of the second instalment of the visa application charge for the Contributory Parent visa category, by the Contributory Parent Visa Composite Index.
WA's migrant boom over
(c) Sunday Times Cortlan Bennett
WA'S migrant worker boom may be over, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
At the height of the resources boom, in the three months to March,
2008, WA's population was growing by about 253 people a week.
FAQ Subclass 457 visa holders affected by the economic downturn
(c) immi.gov.au
Australia's temporary skilled migration program aims to fill skill shortages within the Australian economy that cannot be filled from the local labour market. Due to the current economic climate, the number of skilled positions within the Australian labour market is decreasing.
Trends in the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) Visa Program to April 2009
(c) immi.gov.au
Key Points
• Demand for the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) (Subclass 457) visa program continues to slow following changes in the global and local economies.
• Primary visa applications in April 2009 were 47 per cent lower than September 2008.
• Primary visa grants in April 2009 were 64 per cent lower than September 2008.
• Primary visa applications lodged year to date are three per cent below the corresponding period last program year and primary applications granted are four per cent below. This is the first time this program year that each measure been reported negative growth.
The flow of migration through temporary working visas, or 457 visas, has collapsed
(c) theage.com.au
While boat arrivals to Australia have fallen, the flow of migration through temporary working visas, or 457 visas, has collapsed since last September. Data to be released by Senator Evans today will show a 47 per cent fall in 457 applications since September and a 64 per cent drop in the granting of such visas.
457 Temporary work visas in decline
THE number of people coming to Australia on temporary skilled work visas has fallen to its lowest level in four years, new government figures show.
The number of 457 visas issued in April was 23 per cent lower than the number issued in March, a Department of Immigration and Citizenship report shows.
Further weakening in engineering and commercial construction expected
(c) constructioncontractor.com.au
Following a sustained period of solid growth, Australia's leading construction companies are forecasting a marked slowdown in the rate of activity growth through 2009, followed by a decline in 2010.
457 visa changes a half measure failing to address real skills issues
(c) The Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
The Federal Opposition applauds any measures to better protect Australian workers, train local workers, and off-shore recruitment into jobs that cannot be filled locally.
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