The Australian temporary work visa is known officially as the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa subclass 457.
The Australian temporary work visa is meant for skilled workers who are being sponsored and nominated by a business to work in Australia on a temporary basis.
To apply for this visa you must:
- be nominated by an approved employer
- work in a skilled occupation that has been approved by the Australian Government.
- demonstrate that you have the skills and experience necessary to perform the nominated occupation.
- have adequate health insurance for yourself and any dependants
Employer requirements (for businesses based in Australia): –
- apply to be a standard business sponsor
- be a lawfully operating business
- demonstrate a record of employing local labour and non-discriminatory work practices
- if required provide evidence of labour market testing
- meet the Australian government’s training requirements
- pay the market salary rate for the position
The subclass 457 visa can be granted for up to 4 years.
It is also renewable if the employer wishes to sponsor the employee again. There is no upper age limit to apply for the subclass 457 visa and family members can be included in the visa.
Overseas companies are also able to become sponsors of the subclass 457 visa. For example, if a company in Ireland wishes to pursue the opportunity of setting up an Australian office they can make a sponsorship application to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to become an approved foreign business sponsor. They could then nominate a role for one of their employees to live and work in Australia to establish their Australian office. In most cases it could be a Business Development Manager, or one of the partners of the business, perhaps even the Managing Director could be sponsored to go to Australia to pursue setting up the Australian business.