How this visa works

For this visa you will need to be approved as an eligible sponsor. You will also need:

• an eligible nominated occupation
• an eligible nominated employee.

The process for obtaining a Subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa is summarised in the table below.

Who	Responsibility
Employer	apply to be a sponsor to recruit overseas workers nominate the occupations you want to fill, and the employees you want to fill those positions recruit the overseas workers to fill your nominated positions act as a sponsor for your employees applying for a visa cooperate with department's monitoring requirements meet obligations as part of the program
Employee	accepts the offer of employment from the employer applies for a visa meets all conditions on their visa

Regional employer concessions

From 14 September 2009, employers in regional Australia will no longer be eligible for concessions in meeting the minimum salary and skill level requirements for their nominated positions under the Subclass 457 visa program.

Subclass 457 – market salary rates

From 14 September 2009, all sponsors of Subclass 457 visa holders (457 sponsors) will be required to adhere to a new series of Sponsorship Obligations. For 457 sponsors, the obligation to ensure equivalent terms and conditions of employment will mean that they pay market salary rates to their overseas workers.

For current Subclass 457 visa holders, transitional arrangements will apply.
See:
Subclass 457 – Market Salary Rates
Subclass 457 – Market Rates Frequently Asked Questions – Sponsors
Subclass 457 – Market Rates Frequently Asked Questions – Visa Holders

Validity periods

The validity period of the:

• sponsorship is three years
• nomination is 12 months
• visa is between one day and four years.

Applying for a new visa or changing employer

If you have an employee who wants to apply for a new visa (where their current visa is about to expire), the employee must lodge a new visa application.

From 14 September 2009, 457 visa holders who wish to change employer or position (within the validity of their current visa) will not be required to apply for a new Subclass 457 visa.
See: Applying for this visa

Visa labels

There are a number of eligible passports for travel to Australia without a visa label.
See: Visa labels

Medicare levy exemption

The Medicare Levy is a tax paid through the personal tax system in Australia. People granted temporary residence visas may be subject to the Medicare Levy. The Medicare Levy is based on the taxable income of the individual for each income tax year.

If you are from a country that has no reciprocal health care arrangements with Australia, you and your dependents, who have not been entitled to Medicare benefits can seek an exemption from the Medicare levy in your end of financial year income tax return. Your lack of entitlement to Medicare benefits must be certified by the Minister for Health.

If you are from a country with reciprocal health care arrangements with Australia, Medicare assistance is available for immediately necessary treatment. Nationals from reciprocal countries are therefore not exempt from the Medicare levy.
See: Medicare > Medicare Forms > Medicare Levy Exemption Certification Form
See also: Employee Obligations > Health insurance

Economic climate

Information on the Subclass 457 visa program in the current economic climate is available.
See:
FAQ – Subclass 457 visa holders affected by the economic downturn
FAQ – Subclass 457 visa sponsors affected by the economic downturn

Definitions

These definitions will help you understand the information on these pages.
See: Definitions

More information

Important changes affecting the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) visa program have progressively come into effect from 1 April 2009.
See:
Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship - Media Release (1 April 2009)
Changes to the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) Visa Program
Identified recruitment agents for Chinese skilled workers

Further information for Subclass 457 visa holders can be found on the following websites.
See:
Australian Taxation Office
Fair Work Online