Non–discriminatory recruitment practices
The migration regulations have been amended so that sponsors must declare that they will not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices and also comply with a new obligation not to engage in discriminatory recruitment practices. According to the Department of Immigration “The new obligation seeks to address a community concern that some employers may be relying on the 457 visa programme to employ foreign workers without having regard to the availability of local labour.”
Sponsors should keep a record to demonstrate how subclass 457 visa holders were recruited and that this process did not discriminate based on citizenship or visa status.
Simplification of English Language Exemptions
Subclass 457 visa applicants will be exempt from the English language testing requirements if they have already met the same (or better) English language requirements to gain an occupational license or registration. Where registration and licencing authorities impose and assess English language requirements there is now no requirement for the Department to require the same or equivalent evidence via specified test results.
The migration regulations have been amended so that sponsors must declare that they will not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices and also comply with a new obligation not to engage in discriminatory recruitment practices. According to the Department of Immigration “The new obligation seeks to address a community concern that some employers may be relying on the 457 visa programme to employ foreign workers without having regard to the availability of local labour.”
Sponsors should keep a record to demonstrate how subclass 457 visa holders were recruited and that this process did not discriminate based on citizenship or visa status.
Simplification of English Language Exemptions
Subclass 457 visa applicants will be exempt from the English language testing requirements if they have already met the same (or better) English language requirements to gain an occupational license or registration. Where registration and licencing authorities impose and assess English language requirements there is now no requirement for the Department to require the same or equivalent evidence via specified test results.
