Employee Eligibility

As an employee, you must meet all the following requirements:

• be sponsored by an employer to fill a nominated position
• have skills, qualifications, experience and an employment background which match those required for the position
• have English language skills equivalent to an average band score of 5 across the four test components in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or higher where required for licensing/registration/membership. You may also be required to demonstrate these skills through a formal test, unless you have been exempted under the regulations
  See: Changes to the subclass 457 visa program – English language requirements
• be eligible for any relevant licences or registration required for the nominated position
• demonstrate that you are to be paid at least the minimum salary level that applies at the time a decision is made on your visa.
  See: Nomination Eligibility Minimum Salary Level
• you can apply for this visa while you are in Australia, only if the last visa you held is on the prequalifying list.
  See: Prequalifying visas for 457

Health requirements

There are a number of health requirements that must be met by Medical Practitioners and their accompanying family members.
See: Information Form 1163i Health requirements for temporary entry to Australia (69KB PDF file)

Further information regarding health requirements for visa applicants.
See: Health Requirements

Health examinations for visa applicants outside Australia must be conducted by an approved overseas doctor.
See: Immigration Panel Doctors

Character requirements

You must meet all character requirements.
See: Character Requirement

Limitation of applications

If you are in Australia, your current visa may have restrictions which will prevent you from applying for this visa.
See: Information form 1026i Limitation on applications in Australia (52KB PDF file)

Skills assessment

Australia requires all visa applicants to satisfy the criteria for grant of their visa, thus Subclass 457 visa applicants must satisfy certain skills requirements. Where necessary for safety or to prevent fraud, Australia will undertake more extensive skills assessments to confirm skills claimed by applicants.

Australia is improving its skills assessment processes to provide for formal skills testing of some trade occupations. The pilot of this arrangement will commence on 1 July 2009 and be extended as capacities are increased.

From 1 July until mid September a separate Skills Assessment attachment will be available for submission with your application.
See: Skills Assessment letter (25KB PDF file)

From 14 September onwards the paper application form 1066 will include an Skills Assessment section.

More information on this new skills assessment process will be made available on the Trades Recognition Australia website.
See: Trades Recognition Australia

Australian Values Statement

If you are aged 18 years or over, you must declare that you will respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia. For this visa, the values statement is included in the general declaration section of the application form. When you sign the application form it means you will also be signing the values statement. You will not be required to have read the Life in Australia book, but may do so if you wish.

You are also encouraged to gain an understanding of Australia, its people and their way of life, before applying for this visa.
See: Australian Values - Overview

 

Before lodging an application, please read all related eligibility requirements.
See: Other eligibility