Temporary work visas like the 482 work visa and the working holidaymaker subclass 417 visa in Australia may often present more favorable choices compared to permanent skilled immigration categories.
The 482 Work Visa caters to skilled workers seeking employment in Australia for a duration of up to 4 years. To secure this visa, workers must have sponsorship from an employer.
The Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417) is particularly popular among young individuals globally. This visa permits those aged 18-30 to enjoy an extended holiday in Australia while also engaging in work to supplement their income.
Contents of Australian Temporary Work Visas
Australian Temporary Work Skilled 457 visa Replaced
Note: The Australian Subclass 457 Work Visa was discontinued on 17 March 2018, and the 482 TSS visa came into effect on 18 March 2018.
The Australian Subclass 457 Work Visa allowed both Australian and overseas employers to sponsor skilled immigrant workers for a duration of up to 4 years. This visa also granted entry to the visa holder’s family members, who were permitted to work and/or study during their stay in Australia.
Upon entry to Australia on a 457 work visa, individuals faced no restrictions on the frequency of their travel in and out of the country throughout the visa’s validity period.
Sponsorship for the 457 visa was primarily conducted through standard business sponsorship. However, in certain cases, employers could opt for a labour agreement, which was mandatory under specific conditions:
1. Sponsorship for workers in the meat or on-hire industries was sought.
2. The sponsor aimed to address ‘special labour market circumstances.’
3. Sponsorship was sought for a role not listed in Australia’s Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL)
Employer Requirements for Australian 457 Visa (Standard business sponsor):
To qualify for standard business sponsorship, employers needed to meet the following criteria:
For businesses IN Australia:
1. Be a lawfully operating business.
2. Specify the number of workers they intended to sponsor over the entire sponsorship term.
3. Meet the prescribed training benchmark if in operation for 12 months or more.
4. Have a viable plan to meet the benchmark if operating for less than 12 months.
5. Declare a strong commitment to employing Australian nationals without discrimination.
6. Fulfill any training requirements from the last period as a 457 sponsor (if applicable).
For businesses OUTSIDE Australia:
1. Intend to sponsor a 457 worker to establish a new business in Australia or fulfill contractual obligations.
2. Have no ‘adverse information’ against them.
3. Must not have taken actions resulting in third-party costs related to becoming a sponsor or recruiting a 457 worker.
Labour Agreements: Labour agreements, covering scenarios not addressed by standard business sponsorship, were applicable under certain circumstances, such as those mentioned earlier (meat or on-hire industries, special labor market circumstances, or roles not on CSOL). There were four types of labour agreements: company specific, industry, designated area, and project.
Prescribed Training Benchmark: Australian businesses sponsoring 457 workers were required to meet a benchmark for training Australian citizens or permanent residents. Established businesses (12 months or more) had to demonstrate meeting the benchmark, while newer businesses had to show a viable plan.
Adverse Information: To gain approved sponsor status, employers must have no adverse information against them in the last 3 years. Adverse information included records of insolvency or unlawful activity, but certain cases could be disregarded at the discretion of the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
Employee Requirements for Australian 457 Visa:
Employees applying for a 457 work visa were required to:
1. Be sponsored by an eligible employer for a nominated occupation on the Australian Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL).
2. Possess skills, qualifications, and experience matching the nominated occupation’s requirements.
3. Demonstrate vocational English language proficiency (IELTS score of 5 across all four test components).
4. Be eligible for relevant licenses associated with the position.
5. Meet health requirements, including having health insurance.
6. Satisfy character requirements through a criminal record check.
Length of Stay: Applicants could apply to stay in Australia for a duration ranging from 1 day to 4 years on the 457 visa.
Family: 457 work visa holders could bring their family, including married partners, unmarried/de facto partners, dependent children (of any age), and other dependent relatives. Family members needed to provide supporting evidence before entering Australia.
Applications: Either the employer or the worker could apply for the 457 visa, with assistance available from immigration specialists for the entire application process. For help and advice, contact +91-8130078449 or info@countrywidevisas.com.
Australian Working Holiday visa Subclass 417
The Working Holiday Maker visa program in Australia offers young individuals an opportunity to enjoy an extended vacation while supplementing their travel funds through occasional employment. This enriching experience fosters closer connections with local communities and contributes to international understanding.
Australia has established reciprocal Working Holiday Maker agreements with the following nations:
1. Belgium
2. Canada
3. Republic of Cyprus
4. Denmark
5. Estonia
6. Finland
7. France
8. Germany
9. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
10. Republic of Ireland
11. Italy
12. Japan
13. Republic of Korea
14. Malta
15. Netherlands
16. Norway
17. Sweden
18. Taiwan
19. United Kingdom
Applications: Only citizens of the mentioned countries are eligible to apply for Working Holiday visas. Visa applications must be submitted from overseas, either online or by post. However, those with dependent children are required to apply via postal services.
Eligibility Criteria: To qualify, individuals must be aged between 18 and 30, unmarried, and without children. Applicants need to demonstrate:
1. No prior use of a Work and Holiday (Temporary) visa (subclass 462) for entering Australia.
2. Genuine intention to visit Australia primarily for a holiday, with work being a secondary purpose.
3. Possession of at least AUD$5000 for self-support during the stay.
4. Adequate funds for return or onward travel after the holiday.
5. No accompanying dependent children during the visit.
6. Good health and character.
Length of Stay: Upon receiving the working holiday visa, individuals are permitted a stay of 12 months from their initial entry into Australia.
Work and Study Conditions: Working holiday makers can study or train for up to 4 months and engage in temporary or casual work. Extended employment with a single employer for more than 6 months is not allowed. Compensation should adhere to Australian award rates and conditions.
Second Working Holiday Visa: Since November 1, 2005, the Working Holiday Maker program has been expanded to assist growers in securing seasonal harvest labor. Individuals who have completed at least 3 months of specified work in specific regional areas can apply for a second 12-month Working Holiday Maker visa. This opportunity is available to citizens from all 19 countries with reciprocal WHM arrangements.
Specified work includes:
- Plant and animal cultivation
- Fishing and pearling
- Tree farming and felling
- Mining
- Construction
You can contact us for further details on eligible jobs and regional areas.
