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The Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA CAN BE CHANGED TO A 457 VISA
WHILE THE HOLDER IS IN AUSTRALIA The Long Stay Business Visa (Subclass 457) This visa is one where an employer can sponsor an overseas resident for periods from 3 months to 4 years. The occupations, which can be sponsored, are set out in a gazetted list and the employer must demonstrate that they have the capacity to pay the minimum salary, ensure she/he and any dependents have private health cover. They must be paid a minimum of AUD$41,850.00 p.a. The employer must also show that they have a training program in place for existing staff in order to ensure that reliance on overseas persons for their business operations will not be an ongoing requirement. An employer must be prepared to provide company financials and detail when making an application. An employee sponsored under this category must only work for the sponsoring company as their visa is tied to the sponsorship. If the contract of employment is broken the visa is no longer valid and the employee must be eligible for another visa, or find another sponsor or they will need to depart Australia.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 121/856)
The employee must be highly skilled, and have their skills assed by the relevant Australian body. The alternative to an assessment is that they must be paid a salary of AUD$165,000 per annum, or remain on a temporary 457 visa for two years before the permanent application is made. IT professionals must be paid a minium salary of AUD$57,300.00 and all other positions AUD$41,850.00. Application can be made in Australia if the employee holds a qualifying visa, such as a subclass 457, processing for this visa is done in Australia, and can take up to 12 weeks. The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 119 & 857) This visa has been designed for employers in Regional Australia to employ overseas skills; it is a permanent visa with the position needing to be available for two years. There are a far greater number of occupations available for the employer under this category to assist regional employers. The added step in the visa process is that the employer will need the Regional Certifying Body, as set out in a gazette notice, to certify the vacancy as a genuine one, and that every effort has been made to find a local employee to fill the position in the first place. There is also some discretion in respect to the salary levels that must be paid in this category. For more detailed information in respect to all these visa categories please visit http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/visa-options.htm
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