457/482: Age caps lifted for 457 visa holders for PR, Short-term stream pathway for 482 visa holders; Switzerland added to WHM visa program

457/482: Age caps lifted for 457 visa holders for PR, Short-term stream pathway for 482 visa holders; Switzerland added to WHM visa program

The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Aff​airs announced a raft of changes today that will see the age cap for legacy 457 visa holders lifted and a pathway to permanent visas for 482 visa holders in the Short-term steam. Major benefits to 485 visas were also announced. Switzerland will be added to the WHM program from 1 January 2022.

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Pharmacists added to the PMSOL; No specified work from excluded employers for WHMs; Temporary parent visa extension

Pharmacists added to the PMSOL; No specified work from excluded employers for WHMs; Temporary parent visa extension

Pharmacists are added to the PMSOL, expanding the list to 44 occupations. New regulations see WHMs not able to claim employment from “excluded” employers, and temporary parent visa holders offshore as of 1 July 2021 will have their visas automatically extended by 18 months.

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457/482/494 visa sponsor obligations: Beware the mandatory increase to superannuation on 1 July 2021

457/482/494 visa sponsor obligations: Beware the mandatory increase to superannuation on 1 July 2021

As mandated increases to superannuation took effect last week, employers may need to review their salary arrangements with primary sponsored 457, 482 and 494 visa holders to safeguard from inadvertently breaching their sponsor obligations to ensure equivalent terms and conditions of employment.

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COVID-19: Major occupation list review “put aside”

COVID-19: Major occupation list review “put aside”

An update from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment states the major skilled occupation review process that would have affected many skilled visas has been “put aside” due to COVID-19. While this may be relief for some, it may also have disadvantaged others.

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