Australia – Increased Processing Time for Subclass 457 Applications
November 07, 2017
The current processing times have increased as the abolishment of the Subclass 457 Temporary Work visa category is scheduled to take place March 2018 with the new Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa. Current processing times of 90% of subclass 457 applications are adjudicated within 10 months and 75 percent of the 457 applications are adjudicated within six months.
The current 457 visa system will remain in effect until February 2018 however the increased processing times are likely due to the upcoming change.
Changes that would occur are the following:
- New occupation lists which better target and align with skill needs in the Australian labour market
- Mandatory criminal history check
- Minimum English language requirements
- Mandatory labour market testing
- Requirement to pay contribution to the Skills Australian Fund (SAF)