Note: This visa is no longer open to new applicants.

As of 18th March 2018, the Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa – Subclass 457 has been officially discontinued. It has been replaced by the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa – Subclass 482, which is now the primary pathway for employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to fill labor shortages in Australia.

If you are considering skilled migration or employer sponsorship, please refer to the Subclass 482 visa for updated criteria and eligibility.

For expert guidance on the Subclass 482 visa process, feel free to get in touch with Emigrate Australia.

Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa – Subclass 457

Note: This visa is no longer available for new applicants.

The Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa – Subclass 457 previously allowed skilled professionals to live and work in Australia for up to four years, provided they were sponsored by an approved Australian business. This visa was primarily designed to help employers fill skill shortages when a suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident was not available for the role.

Applicants could apply for this visa from either inside or outside Australia.

Key Benefits

With the Subclass 457 visa, holders could:

• Work in Australia for up to four years.

• Include eligible family members to live, work, or study in Australia.

• Travel to and from Australia as many times as needed during the visa’s validity.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Subclass 457 visa, applicants needed to:

• Be nominated for a position listed on the Skilled Occupation Lists (formerly Form 1121i).

• Provide evidence of skills and qualifications relevant to the nominated occupation, including a skills assessment where applicable.

• Meet any registration or licensing requirements, as outlined by the sponsoring employer.

• Demonstrate vocational English proficiency (e.g., IELTS, OET).

• Be nominated by an approved Australian sponsor.

• Satisfy Australian health and character requirements.

• Have adequate health insurance, unless covered by reciprocal healthcare arrangements like Medicare.

Importantly, all Subclass 457 visa holders were protected under the Fair Work Act 2009, ensuring fair wages and employment conditions similar to any Australian worker.

Requirements for Sponsoring Employers

To sponsor a worker under this visa, employers were required to:

• Be a lawfully operating business.

• Meet specific training benchmarks for Australian employees.

• Specify the number of workers they intended to sponsor.

• Have no adverse information recorded against the business.

Two Sponsorship Pathways

1. Standard Business Sponsorship – For most Australian businesses looking to sponsor overseas workers.

2. Labour Agreement – For employers who negotiate a formal agreement with the Australian Government for niche or industry-specific needs.

Support from Emigrate Australia

Although the Subclass 457 visa is no longer available, Emigrate Australia continues to support employers and skilled workers with current visa options such as the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa – Subclass 482.

Whether you’re an employer seeking to sponsor skilled talent or a professional exploring opportunities in Australia, our expert team at Emigrate Australia is here to guide you through the visa and sponsorship process seamlessly. With extensive experience and a commitment to accuracy and compliance, we help both individuals and businesses make informed decisions.

Contact Emigrate Australia today to explore the best visa pathway suited to your goals.