About 457 Visas.
The subclass 457 visa is for skilled workers from outside Australia who have been sponsored and nominated by a business to work in Australia on a temporary basis. Visas are granted for up to 4 years and allow you to travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want.
Stages of a 457 Visa Application.
There are three stages to employing a skilled worker under the subclass 457 visa program:
- employer must be approved to sponsor foreign workers (Business Sponsor Approval)
- employer must nominate a position (Nomination Approval)
- employee applies for a 457 visa. (457 Visa)
Applications for each of these three stages can be submitted at the same time.
Applying for your visa.
You can apply for a 457 visa if you:
- are sponsored by an employer to fill a nominated skilled position;
- have skills, qualifications, experience and an employment background that match those required for the position;
- have demonstrated your English language ability;
- are eligible for any relevant licences or registration required for the nominated position; and
- have adequate health insurance.
You do not need to use a migration agent to lodge your visa, but the Department of Immigration and Citizenship recommends that if you do use a migration agent, you should use a registered migration agent. If you plan to lodge your visa application yourself, you need to make sure you complete a form 1066 - Application for a subclass 457 – Temporary Work (Skilled) visa in English.
Application by Family Members.
If you are wanting to bring your family with you, you should try to make a combined application. This way you will only pay one visa application charge. If you need to make a separate 457 visa application, then you will be required to make a separate visa application and pay the visa application charge again.
Eligible Occupations.
One of the basic requirements for being granted a 457 visa is that your nominated occupation must appear on a Skilled Occupation List (SOL). You must be able to demonstrate that your work experience or qualification matches this list. See the Consolidate Sponsor Occupation List for the current list of occupations.
Health Insurance.
All 457 visa holders are subject to visa condition 8501. This condition requires you, including your accompanying family members, to maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance for the duration of your stay. See Government Info for more information on your 457 insurance.
Changing Employer or Occupation in Australia.
All 457 visa holders are subject to visa condition 8107. This condition means that you cannot stop working for your nominate employer. This includes changing employer or moving to a substantially different position with your current employer. Failure to comply with this condition may mean that your visa could be cancelled.
If you want to change your employer, you are not required to apply for a new visa. However, before you start with your new employer you must first be nominated by your proposed new employer and have that nomination approved.
If you start working with your proposed new employer before the nomination is approved, you will be in breach of visa condition 8107 and your 457 visa may be cancelled.
Processing Times.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship details processing time service standards for 457 visas. The service standard is based on whether you lodge your visa from inside or from outside Australia and whether you come from a low risk or a high risk country. See the department's website for processing times and to determine whether you are from a low risk or high risk country.
Fees.
See the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's form 990i for information on the department's current 457 visa fees. The particular fee you are interested in is listed under "Temporary Business Entry" and is detailed in the "Visa Application Charge" column.
Other Costs.
You may have to pay other costs, such as the costs of health assessments, English language tests, skill assessments and police certificates, if required.