Australia – Senate Passes Skilling Levy Fund
Skilling Levy Fund
The Skilling Levy Fund (SAF), fund to develop training an apprenticeship programs in Australia, was passed by Australia’s Senate on May 8, 2018. An implementation date of the fund has not been released yet by the Royal Assent, therefore, the benchmark training obligations are still in place. Once the fund is implemented, sponsors will only be required to pay the SAF levy.
The levy will be required at the time of the nomination application:
•TSS Nomination:
Large Business – 1800 AUD for each year per visa
Small Business – 1200 AUD for each year per visa
•Subclass 186 & 187 Nominations
Large Business – 5000 AUD
Small Business – 3000 AUD
Large business are considered as having an annual turnover of more than 10 million, whereas small business are considered as having an annual turnover of less than 10 million.
Labour Market Test
The bill also passed two amendments in regards to the labour market test (LMT).
1.The LMT must be conducted not more than 4 months before the nomination is received. The advertising must be for 4 weeks. Additionally, the skills and experience appropriate to the
position must be included in the advertisement.
2.An independent review of fund to be undertaken as soon as practicable after 18 months from the Royal Assent date and to be completed within 6 months.
As a regulation date has yet to be released, the current training benchmark and LMT process is still in place.