457 – Australia Temporary Work visa
Businesses operating in Australia who cannot source skilled labour locally are sometimes forced to sponsor employees from overseas to help them fill work places in their business.
The 457 visa is a Temporary Work visa that is valid for a four year period. It enables the visa holder, and any additional visa holders to work, study and live in Australia for the validity of the visa.
Businesses who want to sponsor employees from abroad must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs. They must also show that they have made an effort to hire local workers before resorting to sponsoring a worker on a 457 visa.
- Introduction
- Visa Applicants
- Visa Holders
Introduction
Approved businesses in Australia have the ability to source skilled workers when the local workforce doesn’t offer the skills required.
What a Temporary Work visa will let you do
A 457 visa permits the visa holder to:
- work in Australia for up to four years
- take their family with them to Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as necessary during the visa validity period
Visa Applicants
Who can apply for a Temporary Work visa?
To be eligible for this visa you must be sponsored by a legitimate business in Australia. You must also show that you work in an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
Skill requirements
You are required to provide evidence to substantiate your skilled occupation and work experience. If you work in a trade occupation, you may need to provide a skills assessment to the Department of Home Affairs when you lodge your visa application.
English language requirements
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test used to determine your command of the English language.
Applicants of a 457 visa must have an overall score of at least 5.0, with a minimum score of 4.5 in each of the four components of the test. These are:
- reading
- writing
- listening
- speaking
Health requirements
It’s compulsory for you and any secondary applicants to undergo a health examination. The purpose of this examination is that it protects the Australian community from any health risks.
To be considered risk free, you and any additional applicants must be free from diseases or conditions considered to be health risks.
The health examination is critical because it:
- helps reduce and constrains public spending on health and community services, which also affects social security, pensions and allowances
- reduces the threat of the Australian community being exposed to potential health risks and illnesses
- improves access to health care and community services in short supply
Generally all visa applicants must meet the health requirements, and sometimes their dependents must also meet the requirements, regardless of whether they are migrating to Australia.
In certain cases where a condition or disease has been identified which requires a follow up medical check, you may be required to sign a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC). In this case you will need to sign a Health Undertaking to meet the health requirement.
Character requirements
Every visa applicant is required to meet the character requirements set out by the Department of Home Affairs before entering Australia.
Visa Holders
How long is this visa valid?
The main applicant and any additional visa holders must comply with all Australian laws and regulations. Any breaches may lead to a cancellation of your visa.
Obligations
The main applicant and any additional visa holders must comply with all Australian laws and regulations. Any breaches may lead to a cancellation of your visa.