Skilled professions list slashed following 457 reform

Drastic changes have been revealed following the 457 visa reform. A drastically reduced list will already apply as of April 19. The new list, which was reduced by 216 occupations, will also affect applications that have already been lodged.

Immigrating to Australia will now become even more restricted, due the the new work visa scheme introduced by the Turnbull Government. Source: AAP

The Coalition Government claims that the new visa category will put Australians first and focus on jobs for Australians. According to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, the current "457 visa program is conducted for a period of four years, but essentially it is open-ended, and it results, in many cases, in a migration outcome".

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton (R) has defended the decision to scrap the 457 visa program. Source: AAP

Following the surprise announcement by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that the 457 visa will be replaced with a much tougher, and more restricted working visa, details have been released that identify the professions that are affected immediately.

The changes are swifter than even most immigration experts would have expected. As of 19 April 2017, the all important occupations list for skilled migration visas, which includes the subclass 457, will be significantly amended.

216 professions will be taken off the skilled occupation list immediately.

The cut affecting the subclass 457 includes 216 occupations that were considered vital to the Australian economy until Turnbull's announcement. Among the affected occupations are drillers, conveyancers as well as prison and police officers.

Migrants who have already lodged their visa applications are also affected.

The 457 visa will be abolished in March 2018, when it will be replaced with a new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. According to Mr Dutton, the new TSS visa will focus on English language proficiency and a tougher labour market testing.

Immigration experts have raised concerns about the way the reform was kept secret until the very last minute. Perth-based migration lawyer Daniel Estrin from Estrin Saul Lawyers has described the reforms as a "classic example of a knee-jerk reaction by the government in response to a highly politicised issue". Estrin adds that "removing occupations from the list does not address genuine areas of skills shortage and does little to improve the integrity of the visa system".

"A good migration program is a stable program".

Daniel Estrin, Immigration lawyer

Find all the affected 457 occupations below:

Occupations removed from the 457 visa list from 19 April 2017. Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection

2 min read

Published 19 April 2017 12:48pm

Updated 19 April 2017 4:04pm

By Oliver Heuthe

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