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457 Visa Application Fees Double

The 2013-14 budget has announced that application fees for the Temporary Work (Skilled) – Subclass 457 visas are nearly doubling.

As of 1 July this year, fees will increase to $900 from $455, earning the Government an extra 47 million dollars for the coming financial year.

A preliminary reading of the DIAC Portfolio Budget Statements 2013-14 also reveals:

• Total Migration Program numbers remain unchanged at 190,000.
• Skilled Program down by 700 places to 128,550.
• Family Program up by 700 to 60,885.
• There will be a comprehensive review into Australia’s refugee status determination system.
• At least 12% of offshore refugee grants through the Woman at Risk Subclass.
• Enhancement and extension of biometric testing.
• Enhancement of the DIAC’s capability to detect and minimise identity and document fraud.
• Improvements to communications that increase consumers’ understanding of their rights and agents’ understanding of their obligations under the regulatory framework.
• 5% of agents to be monitored – which is not a change.
• DIAC will be given $14.9 million over two years from 2012‑13 to fund a package of initiatives to support social inclusion in communities with large migrant populations.
• The government will provide $3.4 million over four years to enable the Fair Work Ombudsman to monitor and enforce employer compliance with 457 visa conditions.

The next wave of Nation Building

The Federal Budget is providing $24 billion in infrastructure investment, for road, rail and port over the next 6 years. This will provide employment opportunities across the country.