Australia declared its option to end the 457 visa. The Government of Australia will replace skilled 457 visas with a new category of TSS Visa, modify occupation records, compulsory interval PR visas, new Provisional Parent sponsor (reported by the Government in its financial plan for 2017-18) and changes to Partner visas. So the 457 visa will be replaced by a new temporary visa specifically designed to recruit the best and the brightest in the national interest.

These visas are designed to bring in foreign workers and Australian government thinks it is important that businesses get access to the skills they need to grow and invest in. Currently, 95,758 people are in Australia on a 457 visa. The highest proportion of foreign workers came from India (24.6%), the United Kingdom (19.5%) and China (5.8%).

• The new visa system will include a two-year skilled visa and a separate four years one targeting higher skills, with no permanent residency outcome at the end of either.
• The four-year visa will be subject to stricter tests. Candidates wishing to come to Australia on a work visa from March 2018 should select an occupation on the occupations list. The new requirements would include previous work experience, better English-language proficiency and labour market testing.
• The occupational list will be changed -STSOL list relevant for Provisional and Short term visas will be updated. It is additionally conceivable that a few occupations will be added to the rundown, for example, Real Estate Agent, Psychotherapist, Real Estate Representative, Property Manager, and University Tutor. Aircraft Pilots will be added to the rundown by offering them 2-year visas at first.
• Medium-term stream grants re-establishment of TSS visa. It has an arrangement for applying to Australia PR after 3 years stay in the country.

Please be in touch with ISA Global for further guidance and support on the changes.