Subclass 855 – Meat Industry Labour Agreement Visa
The Australian Government announced reforms to the permanent employer-sponsored program to be implemented from 1 July 2012.
See: Reforms 2012 - Permanent Employer-Sponsored Visa Program
As part of the Meat Industry Labour Agreement, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship approved access to the Subclass 855 visa.
Who is this visa for?
This option provides a pathway for overseas 'Skilled Meat Workers' who have been working at meat processing establishments in Australia for at least four years on a subclass 457 (Long Stay) visa to apply to stay in Australia permanently under the Subclass 855 (Labour Agreement) visa, subject to eligibility requirements.
What does this visa let me do?
Subclass 855 visa holders are permanent residents in Australia. The visa applicant can do all of the following:
- live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
- study in Australia at school or university
- receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
- access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
- be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the eligibility criteria)
- sponsor people for permanent residence.
Information for applicants and employers
The following pages provide information about eligibility, how and where to lodge the application and other important information.
See:
Employer
Employee
Family Members