By SAT News Desk
Melbourne, 24 December: The federal Government has ordered a review of the 457-visa program. It is aimed at ensuring the visa category is not misused at the cost of domestic workers and protect vulnerable foreign workers.
Mr. John Azarias has been appointed to undertake an evidence-based review of the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which was recommended by the recent Independent Review into Integrity in the Subclass 457 Program.
“The review will consider a range of issues including the factors that should determine the settings, the appropriate base level, and the roles of indexation and regional concessions for the TSMIT.
The TSMIT defines the salary threshold for jobs that can be filled by a 457-visa holder and is designed to protect Australian workers and ensure that visa holders are undertaking skilled employment, “ says a media release from Peter Dutton MP, Minister of Immigration and Border Protection.
The Minister said the review’s terms of reference were consistent with the Government’s commitment to ensuring the 457 program acted as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, local workers and the protection of potentially vulnerable foreign workers in Australia.
“As the chair of the independent panel which undertook the 457 Integrity Review in 2014, Mr. Azarias brings extensive knowledge of the 457 program to the conduct of this review,” Mr. Dutton said.
“The Government has brought forward the review as part of an agreement with the Opposition to ensure passage through Parliament of legislation to implement the landmark China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, “ the media release says.
Mr. Azarias will provide a report to Government at the end of April 2016.
– SAT News Service
