Farmers, miners endorse changes to visas for skilled foreign workers
10 years ago

Farmers, miners endorse changes to visas for skilled foreign workers

ABC  

Farmers and miners have broadly supported changes to the 457 visa program for skilled foreign workers. Scott Barklamb, the executive director of policy and public affairs with the Australian Mines and Metals Association, the national employer group for the resources industry, said foreign workers played a small, but critical, specialist role in the mining industry. He said the reforms would address many of the farming sector's concerns about access to skilled foreign workers. "Importantly, the categories of skilled workers able to work in Australia under the 457 visa program will become more flexible and better able to reflect current labour market trends," Mr Finlay said.

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History of this topic

Australia announces new rules for Student, Work visa. Here’s list of changes
1 year, 3 months ago

Australia announces new rules for Student, Work visa. Here’s list of changes

Live Mint  

Australian government in order to reduce immigrant intake to the island continent have planned to introduce stringent visa rules for international students, and skilled workers entering the nation. Australia student Visa Australia government introduced new policies for Australia Student Visa. Australia Work Visa: Skills in Demand Visa The Australian government said it will introduce a new visa, the skills in …

Student visa rules tightened, skilled worker wage threshold lifted as government begins immigration rewrite
1 year, 11 months ago

Student visa rules tightened, skilled worker wage threshold lifted as government begins immigration rewrite

ABC  

The federal government will rewrite Australia's immigration system, with almost every visa category up for change, and a promise to tighten rules for international students. "I'm not someone who advocates for a big Australia in this conversation," Ms O'Neil told the National Press Club. Ms O'Neil told the National Press Club that administrative problems were "central" to Australia's immigration woes. …

Australia says it has a labour shortage, but some migrants have spent years waiting for their skilled visas
3 years, 2 months ago

Australia says it has a labour shortage, but some migrants have spent years waiting for their skilled visas

ABC  

Huang Yiwen has been waiting for her permanent residency visa for just over two years. Key points: Australia hopes the international border reopening may ease the labour crisis, yet visa processing times have doubled Some skilled Chinese migrants have been waiting up to three years to get their Australian permanent residency approved The government says it is prioritising applications in …

New farm working visa to begin next month, providing pathway to permanent residence for foreigners
3 years, 7 months ago

New farm working visa to begin next month, providing pathway to permanent residence for foreigners

ABC  

A new visa that would allow foreigners to work on Australian farms will be in place from late next month, but it is not yet clear when the first workers on the agriculture visa could arrive and begin work. Key points: The Federal government has confirmed a new visa for farm, meat, fisheries and forestry workers The Nationals wanted the …

Australian farmers' reliance on illegal labour as exploitation is readily accepted, report says
6 years ago

Australian farmers' reliance on illegal labour as exploitation is readily accepted, report says

ABC  

Worker exploitation has become an "established norm" in pockets of Australia's horticulture, a new report has found. Key points: A new report calls for a more targeted, more reliable and sustainable labour migration program The Government this week committed to tougher measures for labour-hire schemes Worker exploitation is said to have become the norm The University of Adelaide report, led …

Mining jobs increase across Australia on the back of surging commodity prices
7 years, 8 months ago

Mining jobs increase across Australia on the back of surging commodity prices

ABC  

As activity and commodity prices across the resources sector ramp up, so too have job vacancies across Australia. Mining job demand by state Western Australia Geologists Drill and blast specialists Metallurgists Queensland Dragline operators Diesel fitters Drill and blast Northern Territory Mechanical fitters Electrical fitters Diesel fitters Supervisors Engineers South Australia Rubber liners Belt splicers New South Wales Mechanical fitters …

PM Modi conveys concerns over Australian visa issue to Turnbull
7 years, 10 months ago

PM Modi conveys concerns over Australian visa issue to Turnbull

India TV News  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday conveyed to his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull India's concerns about the impact of the recent decision to abolish a popular work visa used by a majority of Indians. "Prime Minister Modi expressed concern about the possible impact of the recent changes in Australian regulations for the skilled professionals' visa programme," the statement said. About …

No impact of Australian visa move on Indian techies, says Nasscom
7 years, 11 months ago

No impact of Australian visa move on Indian techies, says Nasscom

India TV News  

Indian IT industry's representative body National Association of Software Services and Companies on Wednesday said that Indian techies working in Australia would not be affected by Australian government's move on visas granted to them under a specific category. "Our initial assessment is that the move should not have a major impact on visas granted to Indian IT workers, as the …

457 visas: Maritime workers say reforms fall short as miners see limited impact
7 years, 11 months ago

457 visas: Maritime workers say reforms fall short as miners see limited impact

ABC  

The Maritime Union of Australia says the Federal Government has not gone far enough with changes to the 457 foreign skilled worker visa. "Maritime Crew Visas basically lets in international seafarers into the domestic shipping industry without any background checks," he said. "It's doesn't even have the requirements of a 457 visa it's like a revolving door of international workers …

457 visas: Food and fibre producers nervously await more detail on foreign worker reform
7 years, 11 months ago

457 visas: Food and fibre producers nervously await more detail on foreign worker reform

ABC  

The Federal Government's move to scrap the 457 visa for skilled foreign workers has raised concerns about a lift in costs and red tape among several food and fibre-based industries. State secretary Patricia Fernandez said the same controls around the 457 visa should be applied to the 417 visa, known as the backpacker visa, if there is to be any …

Australia scraps skilled migrant visa to protect jobs
7 years, 11 months ago

Australia scraps skilled migrant visa to protect jobs

China Daily  

By Xinhua-reuters | China Daily | Updated: 2017-04-19 07:41 Two new, shorter and closed-ended temporary visas will replace the 457 skilled migrants visa program CANBERRA, Australia - The country's skilled migrant visa will be abolished in favor of a new "Australians first" approach, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Tuesday. In a video posted on social media on Tuesday, Turnbull …

Australia scraps skilled migrant visa to protect jobs
7 years, 11 months ago

Australia scraps skilled migrant visa to protect jobs

China Daily  

Two new, shorter and closed-ended temporary visas will replace the 457 skilled migrants visa program CANBERRA, Australia - The country's skilled migrant visa will be abolished in favor of a new "Australians first" approach, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Tuesday. In a video posted on social media on Tuesday, Turnbull announced that the 457 skilled migrant visa program would …

Government's 457 visa scrapping could affect India trade negotiations
7 years, 11 months ago

Government's 457 visa scrapping could affect India trade negotiations

ABC  

India has hinted that the Australian Federal Government's decision to replace the 457 skilled worker visa may affect trade negotiations. Key points: Indians make up a quarter of 457 visa holders, the most of any nation India wanted to expand approved skill categories to allow more Indian professionals to work in Australia Now hints trade negotiations could be affected by …

Companies to pay more for skilled migrants after 457 visa scrapping
7 years, 11 months ago

Companies to pay more for skilled migrants after 457 visa scrapping

ABC  

Companies who apply to bring temporary skilled migrants to Australia are set to pay more, as the Federal Government toughens its approach on foreign workers. Key points: Employing skilled migrants to become more expensive Government to use money raised to boost training for local workers Over 200 jobs cut from list of occupations foreign workers can apply for Prime Minister …

As US visa troubles deepen, more Indians look to come back
7 years, 11 months ago

As US visa troubles deepen, more Indians look to come back

Live Mint  

New Delhi: More Indians living in the US want a job back home after Donald Trump became the president of the world’s largest economy. The number of Indians in the US searching for jobs in India has gone up more than 10-fold between December and March, according to an analysis by consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Pvt. US Citizenship and …

To tackle unemployment, Australia scraps visa programme for skilled workers used largely by Indians
7 years, 11 months ago

To tackle unemployment, Australia scraps visa programme for skilled workers used largely by Indians

Firstpost  

Australia on Tuesday abolished a visa programme used by over 95,000 temporary foreign workers, the majority of them Indians, to tackle the growing unemployment in the country. Melbourne: Australia on Tuesday abolished a visa programme used by over 95,000 temporary foreign workers, the majority of them Indians, to tackle the growing unemployment in the country. The programme known as 457 …

Australia scraps 457 visa used largely by Indians in ‘Australians First’ move
7 years, 11 months ago

Australia scraps 457 visa used largely by Indians in ‘Australians First’ move

Live Mint  

Melbourne/New Delhi: Australia will abolish a popular work visa used by over 95,000 foreign workers, a majority of them Indians, to tackle the growing unemployment in the country and replace it with a new programme requiring higher English-language proficiency and job skills. The programme known as 457 visa allows businesses to employ foreign workers for a period of up to …

What 457 visa changes mean for Australia
7 years, 11 months ago

What 457 visa changes mean for Australia

Daily Mail  

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will replace the abolished 457 visa with two stricter programs to bring skilled workers into Australia. Scroll down for video Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will replace the abolished 457 visa with two stricter programs to bring skilled workers into Australia NEW VISAS SUMMARY The 457 visa will be replaced with two new ones Short term two-year …

Government abolishing 457 visas, Malcolm Turnbull says
7 years, 11 months ago

Government abolishing 457 visas, Malcolm Turnbull says

ABC  

The Federal Government will abolish the 457 visa and replace it with two new visas, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says. Key points: The move is about "jobs for Australians," the PM says Number of occupations eligible for two-year visa will be reduced Changes would stop "open-ended" nature of 457 visas, which often lead to migration Current visa holders will not …

'Horticultural visa' needed to solve Top End labour issues
8 years ago

'Horticultural visa' needed to solve Top End labour issues

ABC  

A special horticulture visa is needed to help solve Northern Territory farmers' labour issues, according to a Top End melon grower. Middle Point melon grower Dave Cormac said every year there were fewer people available during the peak harvest season. Seasonal Worker Program not suited to small farms After struggling to find enough backpackers to pick his melons in the …

457 visa: Government to cut occupations list for skilled migrants
8 years, 4 months ago

457 visa: Government to cut occupations list for skilled migrants

ABC  

The list of jobs that overseas workers can fill under the 457 visa program is set to be cut by the Australian Government. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has indicated the Government will cut the list of occupations for which skilled migrant visas are available. "Too often we're seeing exploitation, abuse and the overuse and misuse of that visa means downward …

457 visas: What are they and how many people have them?
8 years, 4 months ago

457 visas: What are they and how many people have them?

ABC  

The 457 visa category for skilled foreign workers is being abolished and replaced with a new program. The 457 visa is a business visa given by the Australian Government for four years to a worker and their family from another country. In the last financial year, the Government gave 45,400 visas to foreign workers — a drop of 11 per …

Labor denies call for tougher restrictions on skilled migrants was driven by One Nation
8 years, 4 months ago

Labor denies call for tougher restrictions on skilled migrants was driven by One Nation

ABC  

The Federal Opposition is strengthening its "Australia First" rhetoric by re-committing to tougher restrictions on the use of temporary skilled migrants, drawing accusations of hypocrisy from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Key points: Brendan O'Connor says use of temporary work visas needs to be reviewed to assist unemployed Australians Pauline Hanson says Labor is "taking its cues" from One Nation O'Connor …

Fact check: Why Michaelia Cash's claims on 457 visas get mixed verdicts
9 years ago

Fact check: Why Michaelia Cash's claims on 457 visas get mixed verdicts

ABC  

The claim "457 workers account for less than one per cent of Australia's workforce. Verdict: 457 visas granted under Labor and the Coalition Senator Cash's claim that "the number of 457 people coming to Australia" doubled under Labor and declined under the Coalition is cherrypicking. For this reason, Professor Hawthorne said the number of visa grants provides a better indication …

Federal Government announces changes to 457 skilled visa program after review into rorts and abuse
10 years ago

Federal Government announces changes to 457 skilled visa program after review into rorts and abuse

ABC  

The Federal Government says it will reduce regulation at the same time as it strengthens the integrity of Australia's 457 skilled visa program. "We're also looking at the introduction of a new penalty making it unlawful for sponsors to be paid for a migration outcome, greater transparency around the department's sanction processes, increased information sharing among key government agencies, in …

Australia to relax visa restrictions for skilled migrants
10 years, 5 months ago

Australia to relax visa restrictions for skilled migrants

India TV News  

Sydney: The Australian government will relax visa restrictions for skilled migrants, in an effort to make the country more competitive. A temporary work visa, the 457 visa allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved business for up to four years. In a statement Tuesday, Prime Minister Tony Abbott, along with Trade Minister Andrew Robb, and …

Labor strikes compromise 457 visa crackdown deal with crossbench MPs
11 years, 9 months ago

Labor strikes compromise 457 visa crackdown deal with crossbench MPs

ABC  

The Federal Government has struck a compromise deal with crucial crossbench MPs for its crackdown on the 457 foreign worker visa scheme. A crackdown on 457 visas was announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard during a week-long mini-campaign in Western Sydney in March. The new laws will force employers to do local labour market testing to prove they cannot find …

Brendan O'Connor signals 457 visa changes in effort to crack down on employers
11 years, 9 months ago

Brendan O'Connor signals 457 visa changes in effort to crack down on employers

ABC  

Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor has foreshadowed changes to the foreign worker visa scheme that will make it easier to penalise breaches of the rules. "The holidaymaker visa and student visa are also important ways to provide labour to certain regions and to certain sectors," he said. "The 457 visa scheme, the temporary skilled scheme, is an essential part of those …

Immigration report finds 457 visas rarely rorted
11 years, 10 months ago

Immigration report finds 457 visas rarely rorted

ABC  

An Immigration Department report has highlighted the need to strengthen the 457 foreign worker scheme but found only rare instances of clear abuse. "This report obtained by the Coalition under Freedom of Information demonstrates some fairly routine housekeeping changes to the 457 scheme," Mr Morrison said. Mr Morrison said in February that the Minster announced all of the measures recommended …

457 visas - the picture for rural Australia
12 years ago

457 visas - the picture for rural Australia

ABC  

457 worker visas play an important role in rural Australia. The National Farmers Federation says the Federal Government's decision to tighten the rules governing access to 457 visas will make it harder for the agriculture industry. "Given the purpose of 457 visas is to help Australian businesses source the skilled workers they need when they are unable to find suitable …

Gillard, Abbott trade blows in row over foreign workers
12 years ago

Gillard, Abbott trade blows in row over foreign workers

ABC  

Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have accused each other of whipping up community fear over foreigners, amid a broader debate over the Government's crackdown on 457 visas. The Prime Minister says Labor inherited a visa system that was "riddled full of rorts", because some employers were bringing in temporary foreign labour even though there were Australians able to do the …

Dog whistling claims get louder in 457 visa debate
12 years ago

Dog whistling claims get louder in 457 visa debate

ABC  

LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: As the faux election campaign heats up both major parties are accusing each other of dog whistling and racism. CHRIS UHLMANN, REPORTER: In the first decade of this century, China rose and Australia's mining industry surged to feed its demand for raw materials. CHRIS UHLMANN: Labor tightened the visa's conditions in 2009, but one of the new …

Immigration Minister defends 457 visa crackdown
12 years ago

Immigration Minister defends 457 visa crackdown

ABC  

Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor has responded to criticism of the Government's crackdown on 457 visas, providing examples of how the system has been rorted. The Prime Minister has described the 457 skilled migrant worker visa program as being "riddled with rorts", but when pressed to quantify the problem the Government has not been able say what the level of rorting …

Rinehart's migrant worker push faces rebellion
13 years ago

Rinehart's migrant worker push faces rebellion

ABC  

Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart is leading the charge to bring semi-skilled migrants to Australia to staff mining projects, but a rebellion is brewing among unions amid allegations the schemes are being rorted. But Mr Noonan says large numbers of workers brought in on 457 visas to work at the Sino Iron project near Karratha have been underpaid. "On the …

Fear of foreign workers strikes Australia again
13 years ago

Fear of foreign workers strikes Australia again

ABC  

CHRIS UHLMANN, PRESENTER: The fear of cheap imported workers driving down wages is etched deep in Australia's psyche. GREG HOY: But won't mining companies simply prefer to use migrants workers with far less bargaining power? GREG HOY: As for 457 visas for more skilled migrants, employers are required by immigration law to pay migrants the same market rate as Australians, …

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