Australia PM announces to abolish 457 immigration work visas

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced that he will be abolishing the existing 457 visa, which is currently used by temporary foreign workers to gain employment in the country.

In a video shared online, Turnbull said the 457 visa will be replaced by a new visa that he said was specifically designed to recruit the “best and brightest” overseas talent, as long as it is in the best interests of Australia. The new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa will be introduced in March 2018.

“Australia is the most successful multicultural nation in the world — we are an immigration nation,” Turnbull said. “But the fact remains, Australian workers must have priority for Australian jobs.”

Turnbull explained that the move is about ensuring jobs are filled by “Australians” and putting Australians first.

“We will no longer allow 457 visas to be passports to jobs that could and should go to Australians,” he said.

In place of the 457 visa will be a temporary visa that the prime minister expects will better target genuine skills shortages, including in regional Australia.

The visa will include new requirements, such as previous work experience, better English language proficiency, and labour market testing, he explained.