The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) works in partnership with industry bodies to assist employers with a better understanding of how to access DIAC services. Various peak industry bodies throughout Australia are allocated DIAC Industry Outreach Officers who are placed to fulfil this role.
CME engages a DIAC Industry Outreach Officer to support employers in Western Australia seeking to employ skilled overseas workers on either a temporary or permanent basis.
These officers provide information to industry regarding visa options available under the Skilled Migration stream to fill short or long term skill shortages in the labour market; complete online application lodgement (e-lodgement); and provide information on a variety of DIAC services such as the Skill Matching Database (SMD) and the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system.
The Industry Outreach Officer can provide expert advice and support regarding:
- General Skilled Migration
- State Sponsorship
- Employer sponsored permanent residence
- Employer sponsored Temporary Business (Long Stay or Subclass 457) visa
- Temporary Business Entry
- Employee Work entitlement
NEW CHANGES
Employers should be aware that in 2009, DIAC has introduced a number of reforms into the temporary and permanent skilled visa program. These reforms have been introduced to assist with delivering a permanent migration system that is more ‘demand driven’ with greater emphasis placed on the role of employer sponsorship.
Visit the DIAC website for more information on these changes.
The Temporary Skilled visa program, otherwise known as the Temporary Business (Long Stay or Subclass 457) visa program, was reformed on 14 September 2009. The reforms introduced the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008 which has brought into effect a number of changes including, but not limited to:
- New sponsorship obligations for all new, and existing Standard Business Sponsors under the 457 program
- The requirement to afford 457 visa holders with the same terms and conditions as Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents. This requirement has seen the repealing of Minimum Salary Level (MSL) to ‘Market Salary Rates’
Click here for more information on Market Salary Rates.
For further information contact Emma Hogan-Esch, DIAC Industry Outreach Officer.