Dream Australia

Temporary Work Visas

Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457)

The visa allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved business for up to four years.

You must be sponsored by an approved business. A business can sponsor someone for this visa if they cannot find an Australian citizen or permanent resident to do the skilled work. You can be in or outside Australia when you lodge your application.

Requirements: You might be able to get this visa if:

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187 visa

This visa is designed for employers to address skill shortages in regional and low population growth areas, as well as in Perth. The RSMS visa is for skilled workers from outside Australia or skilled temporary residents who live and work in regional Australia.

Employers can nominate and employ skilled employees through the RSMS program if they:

• want to live and work in regional Australia (any areas outside of the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne)
• have been nominated by an approved Australian employer located in regional Australia
• are younger than 50 years of age
• meet the skills, qualifications and English language requirements.

In some situations, it is possible to obtain a waiver of these requirements.

Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 Visas

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) results in a permanent visa for the sponsored employee. It is a common way for 457 visa holders to qualify for permanent residence, but has a higher skill level than the 457 visa.

Employers can employ skilled employees through the ENS program if they:

• have been nominated by an approved Australian employer
• are less than 50 years of age
• meet the skills, qualifications and English language requirements

There are three possible application pathways for an ENS visa:

1. Temporary Residence Transition: where applicants have worked with the employer on a 457 visa for the last 2 years. In this case, no skills assessment is required and an English level equivalent to IELTS 5 is required.
2. Direct Entry Stream: the employee will need to provide a formal skills assessment in their occupation, and show that they have worked in their occupation for three years. The required English level is IELTS 6 equivalent.
3. Agreement Stream: where the employer has a Labour Agreement

Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) - Subclass 400

Short stay business visitors will often apply for a 400 visa, a temporary visa that lets people enter Australia to:

• perform short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work in Australia, such as commissioning new technology, or
• participate in an event or events on a non-ongoing basis at the invitation of an Australian organisation.

This is generally not an employment based visa, and visa holders can usually stay in Australia for up to six weeks.

Temporary Work (Entertainment) - Subclass 420

The Temporary Work (Entertainment) subclass 420 visa allows visa holders to work in Australia in the entertainment industry:

Work includes as a performer in a theatre, film, television or radio production, or a concert or recording

• to support an entertainer or group of entertainers in relation to a performing contract
• to work in a production role in a theatre, film, television or radio production, or a concert/recording that is performed or shown in Australia (for example, directing or producing)
• to make a documentary or a commercial.

To be eligible for this visa, visa applicants must:

• work in the entertainment industry
• be nominated by someone who has applied or is an approved Entertainment sponsor
• have relevant experience or skills required for the nominated position
• have sufficient financial support for all family members whilst in Australia
• have specific health insurance for all family members whilst in Australia, and
• meet health and character requirements

For this visa you must be sponsored and nominated for a specific position by an entertainment sponsor.

Temporary work (Long Stay Activity) - Subclass 401 Visa

The Sport stream of the Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) - Subclass 401 visa is for applicants who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to improve the quality of sport in Australia through participation in high-level competition with Australian citizens or residents.

The sports stream allows visa holders to:

• participate in a specific event or series of events as an individual or as part of a team
• to play, coach or instruct for an Australian sporting team or organisation
• judge or adjudicate a sporting competition or show.

For sports people or coaches wishing to participate in a sport for a longer period of time there are other options available such as the 457 program.

International athletes or coaches who are still active in their sport may be eligible for permanent residency in Australia through the Distinguished Talent visa program.