It has been somewhat of a turmoil in Australian Immigration arena since the announcement made by the Turnbull Government on 17 April 2017 to phase out the existing Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa (“457 visa”) and introduce a new replacement visa, the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (“TSS visa”).  The main confusion and frustration following the announcement lies in the fact that there has been little or no prior consultation.  The announcement blindsided both Migration Agents as well as current and prospective visa applicants.

Migration Alliance is here to inform you of key dates relevant to new TSS visa as well as existing 457 visa:

• 18 April 2017 – Turnbull Government announces abolition of the 457 visa and introduction of the new TSS visa (refer to my previous article: http://migrationalliance.com.au/immigration-daily-news/entry/2017-04-457-visa-ban-what-does-it-mean-for-overseas-workers.html)

• 19 April 2017 – Removal of 218 skilled occupations from list of sponsorable occupations as well as introduction of two new skilled occupations lists:
• Medium - Long Term Strategic List (MLTSSL) and Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
• Changes to the validity period of a 457 visa for applications lodged and/or approved on or after 19 April 2017.  Two years will be granted if the occupation is on STSOL or up to four years if the occupation is on MLTSSL
• Opportunity given by DIBP to withdraw a 457 nomination and/or visa application in progress where an occupation is no longer on the either list

• 1 July 2017 – Further review of existing 457 visa arrangements
• Possible removal of occupations from both lists (MLTSSL and STSOL)
• Introduction of providing police clearance as part of the 457 visa application process
• Changes to existing training benchmark requirements
• Changes to English language requirements

• 1 December 2017 – Data Matching Introduced
• DIBP will start collecting Tax File Numbers (TFN) for existing 457 visa holders for the purpose of cross checking salary against earnings declared on a recent 457 nomination

• March 2018 – Abolition of the 457 visa and introduction of the TSS visa
• 457 visas will be abolished
• TSS will be introduced
• There will be two streams available under TSS
• Short Term Stream Visa will be valid for two years which will not lead to permanent residency
• Medium Term Stream Visa will be valid for up to four years with potential pathway to permanent residency after three years
• Caveats for certain occupations including minimum salary requirements as well as certain occupations reserved exclusively for regional areas
• Mandatory prior employment experience for both streams
• Labour Market Testing (unless exempt under International Obligations)
• A non discriminatory workforce test to be introduced

To add to the confusion already created last week, it appears that revised instrument specifying occupations listed under MLTSSL and STSOL released on 19 April 2017 appears to be no longer in force which left us with the previous list.  As expected, DIBP is yet to update this information and I encourage everyone to check legislation regularly before submitting an application during this transition. For further information please contact me at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Liberal government seems to be overhauling everything and anything with the word “Immigration” attached.  Just when we all thought it couldn’t get any more interesting, changes to the Australian Citizenship requirements as well as general eligibility were announced!  

By way of background, initial discussions earlier this year seemed to indicate that the proposed changes to Australian citizenship eligibility would likely be implemented at some stage this year. These changes were originally scheduled to come into effect on or around December 2017.  We now have access to new citizenship requirements which are published on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s website with immediate effect.

Changes include:

DIPB has published their list of occupations to be removed from CSOL effective tomorrow, 19 April 2017:

The media was quick to jump in on Turnbull's announcement regarding "abolition" of the 457 visa scheme which naturally has both existing and future 457 visa applicants worried.  

This is what we know so far in regards to the the proposed reforms due to come into effect in March 2018.

• The new visa will be called Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa  and will come into effect in March 2018
• There will be two streams, a Short-Term stream of up to two years and a Medium-Term stream of up to four years 
• This visa will replace existing 457 visa and will likely impact existing subclass 186 visa

As published on DIBP's website, key changes anticipated will include the following:

Review of General Skilled Migration for 2017/2018 is well and truly is motion with the South Australian government releasing the latest update.

From 9am (Australian Central Standard Time) on 19 April 2017, the requirement for high points nomination will increase from 80 to 85 points. This change is in response to the overall quota being achieved under the existing 80 points requirement.

This change will not affect applications lodged prior to this time. Applications for high points nomination received after this time will be refused if they do not meet the 85 points requirement.