Five important changes to 457 employer sponsorship since 1 July 2013

There have been a number of important changes to the Subclass 457 program since 1 July 2013 and every business should be aware of them.

Here are five of the most important changes in brief:

1. Caps on Numbers of Sponsored Employees

Before July last year, there was no limit on the number of employees a Standard Business Sponsor could sponsor on 457 visas.

However, since 1 July 2013, a Standard Business Sponsor has to nominate the number of workers they want to sponsor on 457 visas, and justify that number, as part of the sponsorship approval process. The Department will approve a specific number of potential 457 visas, and once this cap is reached, the employer has to apply to vary the terms of its sponsorship to be able to sponsor additional employees.