Business to pay as 457 foreign worker visas axed
COMPANIES seeking to hire foreign workers will be forced to contribute to a national fund to train Australians.
Companies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Companies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
COMPANIES seeking to hire foreign workers will have to contribute to a national fund to train Australian workers in industries with skill shortages, following the abolition of the 457 visa scheme.
The Australian reports the foreign worker tax will be announced in the May budget, a mandatory requirement of the new temporary migration system.
The training fund, based on recommendations from the 2014 Azarias report into the 457 program, would mandate a fee paid by companies based on their size to provide skills to Aussie workers to fill shortages, with a focus on sectors including IT, aged care and nursing.
PROTECT AUSSIE JOBS: Controversial 457 visa axed
The move to boost the skills of Australians comes after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced plans to scrap the controversial 457 visa program, replacing it with two new temporary worker visa categories that carry tougher conditions and aimed at “higher skills”.
In a press conference at Parliament House yesterday, he said jobs must go to Australians first.
He also said that while Australia was multicultural, it needed to focus on local jobs.
The Government will deny their tough talk on immigration & plan to ban 457 visas is because of One Nation but we all know the truth! #auspol
— Pauline Hanson (@PaulineHansonOz) April 18, 2017
“We have and we always will be an immigration nation, but we must ensure that the foundation of that success is maintained and the foundation is that our migration system is seen to work in the national interest,” Mr Turnbull said.
“That it is seen to deliver for Australians. It is seen to ensure that Australian jobs are filled by Australians wherever possible. We’re abolishing 457 visas, the visas which bring temporary foreign workers into our country.”
As of September 30, 2016, there were 95,757 workers in Australia on primary 457 visas.
A day after Mr Turnbull’s announcement, US President Donald Trump prepared to sign an executive order in Wisconsin that tightens rules on technology companies bringing highly-skilled foreign workers into the US.
Read more at The Australian.
ASX may be choppy after US falls, oil surge; Arcadium soars
The RBA's September meeting minutes, deputy governor's remarks at a Sydney event awaited amid uncertainty about the US Fed's rate cuts plan. China's top economic planner due to discuss fiscal policy changes. Arcadium lifts in US trading. Oil above $US81.
Last-ditch effort to save Aussie airline
With time running out for the failed regional carrier to secure a new buyer, the Albanese government has been called on to buy in and rescue the company.