Australia Revises Visa Conditions For Skilled Workers

Visa requirements 8107, 8607, and 8608 will alter as of July 1, 2024, in accordance with the Australian government’s migration strategy. These adjustments fulfil the pledge to combat labour exploitation and increase output.

Australian Government made adjustments to facilitate temporary migrants with the following visas’ ability to move around the labour market:

• Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457)
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494)

What are the new changes?

After their employment with their sponsoring employer ends, visa holders will now have more time and flexibility to locate another sponsor, apply for a different type of visa, or make arrangements to leave Australia. The principal modifications consist of:

1. Extended time frames for obtaining new employment: During the whole visa grant period, visa holders may obtain fresh sponsorship or make other arrangements for up to 180 days at a time, or a maximum of 365 days overall. Before, visa holders had just 60 days to complete these plans.
2. Work flexibility: As long as they have discontinued employment with their sponsoring employer, visa holders are permitted to work for other employers during this time, even in professions not included in their most recent nomination for sponsorship.

Responsibilities and Conditions 

• Visa holders are required to continue working for their current employer in the profession of their choice. They are not allowed to perform any work that calls for a license or registration that they do not possess.
• Sponsors have 28 days to notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes, including the resignation of a visa holder or the cessation of sponsorship.
• Visa holders are not allowed to work for another employer unless they have ceased employment with their sponsoring employer, unless they are exempt.

Applicability

Both current visa holders and those who are given a visa on or after July 1, 2024, are subject to the modifications. A visa holder’s employment with their sponsor prior to July 1, 2024, will not be counted against the new time periods mentioned above.

Visa holders are prohibited from engaging in any employment that conflicts with any licenses or registrations required for their designated field of work. This covers any terms and conditions that apply to them.

Visit the Department of Home Affairs website to verify the specifics of your visa and to learn more about the new requirements.