Ease limits on Australia 457 visas

Australia, 28th April: Opposition Leader Tony Abbott wants to allow more skilled immigrants to come to Australia.

For this, he plans to revamp Australia’s 457 visa process.

Lift annual limits on 457 Australian visas—Abbott says immigrants coming to Australia for work are undoubtedly the brightest and the best immigrants. Hence, their contribution to the Australian economy is immediate.

From the very first day, such workers start contributing to Australian economy, he maintained while referring to significance of foreign skilled workers immigrating to Australia on 457 visas.

Moreover, when they get Australian permanent residency, they prove their worth to be the best foreign workers on a long-term basis, Abbott affirmed. Australian businesses get help from skilled 457 workers for building a prosperous Australia.

Hence, there was an urgency to raise the annual intake of such foreign skilled workers which is currently 125,850, said Abbott while delivering a speech in Melbourne. It is as important as stopping the boats if the nation wants to restore faith of the public in the immigration process, he stated clearly.

Who does not want a stronger economy, questioned Abbott? So, if the Coalition government comes to power, it will include 457 Australian visas as the mainstay of Australian immigration process.

The only point worth consideration is that employers in Australia must make sure to try their best for finding domestic Australian workers. If unable to find workers with requisite skills from within Australia, then employers should not shy away from seeking skilled immigrant workers from abroad, he clarified.

Tougher 457 visa process for hiring foreign labor—Abbott says if elected to power, he is going to argue the steps by the present government that lead to increased woes for businesses wanting to hire foreign workers on 457 Australian visas.

Difficulties in getting Australian 457 visas for bringing in foreign skilled workers have brought the number of new foreign arrivals down to 10 percent, Abbott maintained.

Employers are allowed to sponsor foreign skilled workers to come to Australia on 457 visas and stay here for a period of up to four years.

Under Howard government, controversies engulfed the 457 visa program. There were claims that some of foreign workers were not getting adequate wages and were not paid medical and superannuation expenses.

So, by ensuring optimum wages, Australian businesses would be able to bring in desired number of foreign skilled workers to the nation, he summarized.