Australia has introduced four new work visas in place of the seven temporary work and Training and Research visas.
The new visa subclasses have come into effect on 19 November 2016.
The new visas are: Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (Subclass 400) visa, International Relations (Subclass 403) visa, Training visa (Subclass 407) and Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) visa.
Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa:
This visa will allow workers to enter Australia to undertake short-term, specialized work of a fixed duration as well as participate in activities related to Australia’s interests.
This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to:
- undertake short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work
- in limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests.
Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa:
This visa will allow workers to enter Australia in relation to a bilateral agreement; to represent a foreign government, as a person with statutory privileges and immunities; or to participate in the Seasonal Worker Programme, among other activities.
This visa would be for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis:
- in relation to a bilateral agreement
- to represent a foreign government or to teach a foreign language in an Australian school
- to undertake full-time domestic work for a diplomat
- as a person with statutory privileges and immunities
- to participate in the Seasonal Worker Programme.
Subclass 407 Training Visa:
This visa will allow workers to enter Australia to undertake occupational training or participate in classroom-based professional development activities.
Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa:
This visa will allow temporary workers to enter Australia to participate in a non-ongoing cultural or social activity at the invitation of an Australian organization, observe or participate as an academic in a research project, work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement and participate in an Australian-government-endorsed event, among other activities.
This temporary visa allows one to
- work in the entertainment industry
- participate in a non-ongoing cultural or social activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation
- observe or participate as an academic 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 superyacht crew member
- undertake full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection says the new visa framework is “part of a move to a fairer and more efficient visa system”.
“The changes reduce red tape for business, industry and individuals by streamlining sponsorship requirements and removing the nomination stage for a range of activities,” said Assistant Secretary Michael Burke.
In addition, six existing sponsor classes have been reduced with one sponsor class – the temporary activities sponsor.
The new visa framework also introduces a uniform and flat visa fee of $275 for primary applications for temporary activity visas.
Under the revised framework promoters bringing foreign artists to Australia will no longer have to pay a nomination fee per entertainer of $170 and the visa application charge will be reduced from $380 to $275. These two changes combined will halve the visa costs for bringing a performer to Australia from $550 to $275.
More information about these changes can be found the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website at www.border.gov.au.
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