https://www.facebook.com/malcolmturn...type=3&theater

Not sure what its being replaced with?

About time, IMHO. All better to keep the riff raff out and attract some real talent instead.

Government abolishing 457 visas, Malcolm Turnbull says - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

So what's the difference?

Someone somewhere is playing a game.

Yeah, so far it makes little sense.

I do wonder if the jobs numbers coming up are poor, and this is a predeflection of the bad press.

It doesn't look like they are really making significant changes (at least in what they have admitted so far).

Oh, and according to Dutton, it's all Labor's fault, again.

The only bit that sounds new is the English requirement.

They just said those on existing 457s won't be affected - something many here might want to know.

Reports say :

• 2 and 4 year visas of this type
• Higher level of English proficiency test required.
• Demonstrate at least 2 years work experience in the field.
• Police checks required to be cleared
• Reduce the number of occupations on the list by 200 (currently 650)
• No permanent residency outcome at the end.
• Increase in fees to be collected for the visa - $1150 and $2400 up from $1060 for 457s
• Currently 95,000 457 visas issued and generally turn into PR.

Thanks for posting Garry.

Not got the news on, any idea what happens to any applications in progress at the moment - did they say?

Not so far, but see my edit. No route to residency ....

That will have an impact on some peoples plans I would think.

So existing 457's will still be able to go to PR? Asking for a friend, we came on 175 and now citizens.

No idea, and I'd guess they don't know themselves. Probably depends on what they can get through the two houses ....

If your friend is able to, can (s)he put in a PR application now, or do they need employer sponsorship?

We have an older engineer at work, who's only hope is to be sponsored at the end of the 4 years of his 457. He's only been here a year, so still has 3 to go. He has no other pathway, other than employer sponsorship at the end due to age, so any changes could have an impact on him and his family.

Almost exactly the situation my mate's in, suspect he doesn't know any of this yet, I will wait for facts to emerge before worrying him.

Do you honestly believe the current 457 structure actually serves its intended purpose?

To add to all those changes, they should increase the minimum wage a 457 can receive. That way potential employers and abusers of the 457 (whatever its new name is) are really worth attracting.