The following has just been announce by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

To achieve accurate reporting, this has been copied to this site.

- Skills Assessment

Subclass 457 visa applicants from some countries in trade occupations and chefs to undergo a formal skills assessment. The skills assessment process will be administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) and will involve assessment of skills against relevant qualifications from the Australian Qualifications Framework. This will be progressively introduced from 1 July 2009 and more information on this new skills assessment process will be made available on the TRA website at www.deewr.gov.au/tra as it becomes available.

- Increased English language requirement

A reminder that on 14 April 2009, the English language requirement was increased to International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 5 for certain nominated occupations for Subclass 457 visa applications lodged on or after 14 April 2009.

These changes also mean that, from 14 April 2009, all Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) visa applicants who:

• have a nominated occupation which requires a licence, registration or membership to perform; and
• to obtain that licence, registration or membership the applicant would be required to achieve an IELTS test average band score of more than 5;

then the applicant must have an IELTS test average band score of at least the standard required for grant of the licence, registration or membership.

- Labour Agreement pathway for ASCO 5-7 occupations

On 15 May 2009, the extension of the labour agreement pathway to all ASCO 5-7 occupations came into effect. Employers with existing 457 visa holders in ASCO 5-7 occupations should contact DIAC to discuss their need for a labour agreement in the future.

- Training benchmarks

The development of training benchmarks to clarify the existing requirement on employers to demonstrate a commitment to training local labour.

- Requirement to attest

The introduction of the requirement for sponsors to attest that they have a strong record of, or a demonstrated commitment to, employing local labour and non-discriminatory employment practices will be introduced soon. This measure will apply to applications for sponsorship under the Subclass 457 visa program.

Changes to the Minimum Salary Level (MSL)

From 1 July 2009 the MSL will increase by 4.1%

• Schedule A [Non-regional]: from $43,440 to $45,222
• Schedule B [IT]: from $59,477 to $61,916
• Schedule C [Regional]: from $39,100 to $40,705
• Schedule D [Regional IT]: from $53,530 to $55,725

[these are for Bases Salary, before tax, and do not include 9% superannuation]