The subclass 457 visa is the most commonly used programme for employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary basis.
The subclass 457 visa allows businesses to employ overseas workers for up to 4 years in skilled occupations only.
Subclass 457 visa holders can:
- work in Australia for a period of between one day and 4 years
- bring any eligible dependants with them to Australia — dependants can work and study
- after entering Australia, have no limit on the number of times they can travel in and out of Australia.
Here are the 4 most common questions and their answers about 457 visa.
WHAT IS THE 457 VISA?
The 457 visa is a temporary visa for skilled workers.
It is an employer-sponsored visa, which means that Australian or overseas businesses that have been unable to meet their skill needs from the Australian labour market can sponsor skilled overseas employees under the subclass 457 visa programme under the standard business sponsorship arrangement.
WHICH OCCUPATIONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR 457 visa?
Here are the . But this is not all. The list is very long and can be obtained in full on Australian Government’s website -
HOW DOES AN EMPLOYER SPONSOR SOMEONE FROM OVERSEAS?
There are 3 processing stages in sponsoring an employee from overseas under the subclass 457 visa programme:
Sponsorship: The employer applies for approval as a standard business sponsor. This is required to nominate an occupation for a subclass 457 visa.
Nomination: The employer nominates an occupation for a prospective or existing subclass 457 visa holder.
Visa application: The person nominated to work in the nominated occupation applies for the subclass 457 visa. This is the final step to obtaining a subclass 457 visa.
DO 457 VISA HOLDERS NEED TO PROVE THEIR ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETENCY?
If you are a primary applicant under standard business sponsorship arrangements, you must meet the English language requirement for visa grant unless you fall into one of the following categories of exempted persons:
- you are a passport holder from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, or
- you have completed at least 5 years of full time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where instruction was conducted in English, or
- you are to be paid at least a salary that exceeds the English language requirement exempt amount and the grant of the visa is in the interests of Australia. This salary is the minimum required to be paid for the duration of the visa. Please check the department’s to check the current salary level that is English language exempt.
CAN 457 VISA HOLDERS BRING THEIR FAMILY ALONG?
Yes, 457 visa holders are allowed to bring any eligible dependants with them to Australia. These dependants can work and study during their stay in Australia.
For more details on 457 visa, visit government website -
