Labour agreement arrangements for the meat industry
New labour agreement arrangements for the meat industry in Australia apply from 10 September 2007.
What is the new arrangement?
From 10 September, the occupations of Meat Tradesperson Supervisor (ASCO 4511-01) and Slaughterperson (ASCO 4511-15) cannot be nominated under standard business sponsorship arrangements for the Business Long Stay visa.
The occupations of Butchers or Smallgoods Makers can only be nominated under the subclass 457 Standard Business Sponsorship arrangements where they match a new description.
See: Legislative Instrument of minimum salary levels and occupations - Business Long Stay (457) visa (193KB PDF file)
Meat processing companies who seek to employ overseas skilled meatworkers must seek access to a labour agreement, which provides for a broader range of skilled meat workers required by the meat industry.
These changes recognise the importance of the meat industry to the Australian economy while further strengthening the integrity of the Business Long Stay (457) visa.
Who is affected by this change?
All employers and primary visa applicants who lodged a nomination or visa application prior to 10 September 2007 will be considered under the new arrangements. All applications lodged on or after 10 September 2007 will also be considered under the new arrangements.
Meat companies whose request to access the labour agreement is accepted by the Commonwealth can transfer any lodged or approved nominations that have not been filled to their labour agreement at no additional cost.
What is a labour agreement?
Labour agreements provide a pathway to recruit overseas skilled workers where standard visa arrangements do not meet industry needs and access to overseas skilled workers is demonstrably in Australia’s best interests. A labour agreement is negotiated with the Commonwealth (represented by the department and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)).
How much does a labour agreement cost?
There is no cost in establishing a labour agreement.
Charges will apply for all associated nominations and visa applications.
See: Employer Sponsored Temporary Visa charges
How to establish a labour agreement
- Meat processing companies can request access to a labour agreement by contacting the department.
Email: Meat.Industry@immi.gov.au. - A sample meat industry labour agreement, specifically tailored to address the requirements of the meat industry will be provided to the meat processing company.
- To gain access to a labour agreement, meat processing companies must satisfy the department together with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), that the requirements listed in Clause 6 of the meat industry labour agreement are met for each meat processing establishment
- The agreement will be signed by all parties (the meat processing company, the department and DEEWR) when the terms and obligations of the agreement have been finalised.
More information
Further information on the new labour agreement arrangements for the meat industry can be obtained.
Email: Meat.Industry@immi.gov.au