The federal government's hard-line approach to immigration doesn't just pose a risk to organisations employing a large number of 457-visa holders, or to smaller companies with poor HR processes; it affects any employer of a worker who isn't a permanent resident, according to immigration strategist Alan Chanesman.
Employers must start preparing for more active policing of sponsorship arrangements under impending changes to the 457-visa scheme, says immigration expert Alan Chanesman.
A recent Federal Circuit Court of Australia ruling that cost a company nearly $350,000 indicates just how vigilant the Fair Work Ombudsman will be in pursuing breaches of foreign worker laws, warn lawyers from Holding Redlich.
It is now far easier for the government to prosecute employers whose staff breach their visa requirements - and ignorance will provide no defence, according to migration law specialist Enza Iannella.
Imminent changes to the 457-visa system will create more work for HR in terms of establishing the "genuineness" of their need for overseas workers, according to employment lawyer Fiona Inverarity.
Employers will need to be more vigilant about checking the visa status of their workers, with new legislation making it much easier for the government to prosecute non-compliant companies, according to an immigration law specialist.
Employers that attempt to recover costs associated with sponsoring workers could find themselves on the wrong side of the law, placing their ongoing eligibility as a sponsor at risk, says immigration law specialist Katie Malyon.
As employers increase their reliance on foreign workers to fill local skills shortages, understanding the 457-visa scheme is becoming a top HR priority. Watch this webinar to ensure that compliance errors don't jeopardise your organisation's ability to take advantage of this valuable resource.
This presentation, by immigration law expert Katie Malyon, outlines:
The criteria for eligibility as a 457-visa sponsor;
The interface between employment and immigration laws;
How to comply with DIAC's requirements around remuneration, record-keeping, notification and more;
Special considerations when dismissing 457-visa holders;
How to transition 457-visa holders to permanent residency; and
Case studies of employers caught out in non-compliance.
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