Australia is going to stop a temporary work visa popular with foreigners and substitute it with a visa requiring better English language and work expertise.
“The reforms will have a simple focus – Australian jobs and Australian values,” Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said during a press conference.
“The visa change would attract better skilled workers and see Australians employed over cheap foreign workers brought in under the old 457 visa programme,” PM said at a press conference in Canberra.
“People now in Australia on 457 visa will not be affected by the new arrangements,” Mr Turnbull said.
The 457 visa, used by about 95,000 foreign workers, will be replaced by a new temporary visa and the list of occupations that qualify for a visa will be reduced from more than 200.
The fresh visa will be limited to a 2 year period and a 2nd 4-year visa will need an advanced standard of English language.
Here’s PM Turnbull’s Message:
