New temporary visas get the go-ahead

Visa Solutions Australia is welcoming a revamp of the Australian temporary visa framework which should make the application process more efficient and cut out unwanted red-tape.  Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has, in recent times, acknowledged that the current temporary activity visa program was difficult to navigate and needed streamlining.

The reforms should come into force by 19th November 2016. The proposed changes will effectively mean just one new single consolidated sponsor class and the removal of some sponsorship and nomination application requirements.  It will also mean the end of some visa subclasses and the consolidation of others. The good news is that new applications can be lodged online so will save time. Here’s a breakdown of what it all means:

A new Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa will replace the following temporary visa subclasses.

·         Entertainment (subclass 420) visa

·         Special Programme (subclass 416) visa – Special Programme Agreements stream only

·         Superyacht Crew (subclass 488) visa

·         Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) (subclass 401) visa

·         Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (subclass 401) visa

·         Temporary Worker (Short Stay Activity) (subclass 400) Invited participant stream only

·         Training and Research (subclass 402) Research stream only

Sponsorship for the new Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa will only be necessary where the applicant is outside Australia and is proposing to stay in the country for more than three months or if the applicant is applying from within Australia.  It is intended for those who want to:

·         Work in the entertainment industry

·         Participate in cultural or social activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation

·         Take part in a research project

·         Undertake full-time religious work

·         Participate in a special programme to enhance international relations and cultural exchange

·         Participate in high-level sports (including training)

·         Work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement

·         Participate in an Australian Government endorsed event

·         Work as a crew for a superyacht

·         Work in the household of certain senior foreign executives

A new Training (subclass 407) visa will replace the existing Training and Research (subclass 402) visa and will include two streams: Professional Development and Occupational Trainee. This will be a temporary visa to allow individuals to undertake professional development in a classroom setting and applicants will need to be sponsored and nominated by a Temporary Activities Sponsor.

The Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (subclass 400) visa will comprise two streams – Highly Specialised and Australia’s Interest stream. It is aimed at those who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to undertake short-term, highly specialised work and also for those who want to participate in work relating to Australia’s well-being and interests.

The Temporary Work (international Relations) (subclass 403) will offer people the opportunity to come to Australia as part of a bi-lateral agreement where they meet certain requirements. This may be to represent a foreign government or to teach a foreign language in an Australian school and also to participate in the Seasonal Workers Programme.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said that a “significant” amount of consultation had taken place to simplify the system and improve the visa application process and reduce visa pathways which in the past have overlapped.

If you’d like to find out more about the changes with these visas and to find out whether it will benefit you, call Visa Solutions Australia today on +61 8 9328 2664.