Travel agency managers targeted in 457 visa reform
The Federal Government is set to scrap the 457 visa and replace it with two new ones, but it also plans to remove a stack of jobs that qualify for the visas, including travel agency managers.
The 457 visa is a business visa given by the Australian Government for four years to a worker and their family from another country.
The visa is designed to fill job vacancies that are difficult to find Australians for. There are 95,758 people who have the visa, including family members.
Per media reports, current visa holders wouldn’t be affected, but the new system would be “manifestly, rigorously, resolutely conducted in the national interest”.
Per Turnbull, this is “about jobs for Australians”.
The changes affect the number of occupations eligible for two-year visa visas, which will be largely reduced by 216 from the current tally of over 650.
In addition, changes would stop the “open-ended” nature of 457 visas, which often lead to migration.
Among the list of occupations to be removed are bed and breakfast operators, travel agency managers, aeroplane pilots, translators, and flight attendants.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said there would be a “grandfathering arrangement”, according to the ABC, for current visa holders, but the changes would stop the “open-ended” nature of the scheme.
“The existing 457 visa program is conducted for a period of four years, but essentially it is open-ended, and it results, in many cases, in a migration outcome,” he said.
“What we propose is that under the temporary skills shortage visa short-term stream there will be a two-year visa, with the options of two years, but there won’t be permanent residency outcomes at the end of that.”
What the industry thinks
Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has urged the Federal Government to ensure that changes to skilled labour visas did not disadvantage the tourism industry.
The CEO of TTF, Margy Osmond, said a continuous pipeline of skilled labour from overseas was vital for sectors such as hospitality, which has ongoing shortages of key staff including chefs and hotel managers.
“Tourism is now a super growth industry in Australia, and a critically important contributor to our national economy,” Osmond said.
“The industry directly employed 580,200 people in 2015-16, or 4.9 per cent of the national workforce, and continues to grow. By comparison, agriculture employed 321,600 people and mining provided 227,800 direct jobs.
“TTF stands ready to work with the Federal Government on the implementation of the new temporary skilled migration program to ensure the best possible outcome for the sector.”
Osmond said Australia’s global campaigns to attract more international visitors had been and continued to be a resounding success.
“We now need to ensure that the industry is sufficiently resourced to continue supporting the visitor economy, which is now a bigger export earner than coal or agriculture, and will continue to grow.”
Meanwhile, the Australian Hotels Association (WA) has positively met the Federal Government’s announcement that it is reforming the skilled migration programme and putting the focus on jobs for Australians.
AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said abolishing the 457 visa and introducing a new Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa will continue to support businesses that are experiencing genuine skills shortages.
“The hospitality industry is one of the biggest users of 457 visas for chefs and experienced cooks and it’s important that industry has access to overseas workers to fill the gaps,” said Woods.
“The new visa system appears to strike the balance between supporting young Australians who are looking for work and supporting businesses who can’t find enough skilled locals to fill positions. The new visas also remove the pathway to permanent residency for low skilled workers.”
The new Short-Term visa stream of up to two years and a Medium-Term stream of up to four years will support businesses in addressing genuine skill shortages.
“Cooks and chefs will remain on the occupations list used for skilled migration assessment, however with caveats, ensuring that they are working in skilled positions – for example not in fast food outlets,” said Woods.
Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) has also welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of a revamp of the 457 temporary skilled labour visa system, saying that it would ensure the integrity of our immigration system, address genuine skills shortages and prioritise opportunities for Australian workers.
TAA said that while full details were still to be revealed, the accommodation sector was confident that the specific skills’ needs of the hospitality and tourism sector – particularly in regional Australia – would be catered for in the new system.
The Federal Government identified the industry’s critical skilled labour shortage in its 2015 Australian Tourism Labour Force Report, which estimated that the tourism and hospitality sector would require an additional 123,000 workers by 2020, including 60,000 skilled positions.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s move to protect Australian jobs through a more streamlined and rigorous visa process,” said TAA Chair, Martin Ferguson.
“The tourism and hospitality sectors are investing heavily in training and career development programs to grow local jobs, but with our industry growing at an unprecedented rate, there will certainly be a need for temporary skilled positions in the short-term.
“Once we have seen the full content of the Government’s changes we will be making representations to relevant Ministers to ensure that our industry – one of the country’s largest growth industries – receives the support it requires over the next five years.
“We are also seeking greater investment in training and development of local residents to ensure that we can offer world-class service standards to complement the massive transformation of the industry’s physical product.”
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has also met the Prime Minister’s announcement of a new visa system with open arms, in the hopes it will support the sourcing of temporary skilled workers for Australian industries struggling to find the right staff.
“Replacing the 457 visa with a more targeted temporary visa system should help the fast growing tourism export industry meet some of its very immediate labour issues,” said ATEC Managing Director, Peter Shelley.
“The skilled occupation list attached to this visa will be reviewed every 6 months, giving our industry more opportunities to inform the Government where there are significant labour force needs in Australia’s tourism industry.
“With international visitor numbers growing at 11%, there is no doubt the tourism industry will continue to be in need of more skilled and semi-skilled labour and this announcement recognises the value of investing in tourism’s future needs.”
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
-
Latest comments
Latest News
Qantas scam warning: ACCC alert over false claims to help get payments back
The ACCC says scammers are calling people, falsely claiming they will help them get payments back following publicity about a Federal Court ruling that ordered the carrier pay $100m in penalties and refund customers for misleading consumers. On 5 May 2024 Qantas gave an undertaking to the ACCC that it would pay about $20 million […]
WTTC Global Leaders’ Dialogue yields strategic insights for future of travel & tourism
Government officials and industry leaders discussed pivotal strategies to foster long-term sustainable growth in the global travel and tourism sector at the annual Global Leaders’ Dialogue on the first day of the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia today. Throughout the Global Leaders’ Dialogue (GLD), participants focused on enhancing resilience […]
Massive growth overcomes global tourism challenges: World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit
The World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit has been launched in Perth, Western Australia with economic growth, aviation opportunities, tourism investment, cultural events, environmental impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable fuels, tax revenues, renewable energy, global connectivity set to be discussed. Add to that Western Australia tourism, direct Perth flights and Aboriginal tourism and it […]
Qantas 787 Dreamliners land in Sydney bringing Aussies home from Middle East
We wish the flight crew and passengers a safe journey on remaining flights.
Deadline extended! Entries to the 2024 Women In Travel Awards close 14 October
We know things have been busy lately, so if you missed the cut off date, you're in luck... Enter now!
GX Summit wraps in India, all eyes on Jordan for 2025 edition
TW's resident foodie (AKA. the editor) returned with glowing reviews of both the event and also the local cuisine!
Webjet and Tourism Tropical North Queensland offers discounts on flights to Cairns
We're getting closer and closer to summer, but that doesn't mean you can't jet off to Cairns for a weekend in the sun!
Royal Caribbean celebrates first floating of next mega cruiser: Star Of The Seas
Royal Caribbean's next super cruiser is nearly here, when will you be jumping on board?
A Culinary Journey Through Southwest France
Let's face it - if you're going to France, you just have to enjoy all of the food and drink on offer.
ATIA unveils finalists for the 2024 National Travel Industry Awards People’s Choice Award
We don't like picking favourites, so we are glad that someone else has this difficult job.
William Inglis Hotel MGallery hosts star-studded ‘Pink October’ event for McGrath Foundation
It's a cause so close to many of our hearts... Amazing work from the team at William Inglis Hotel.
RACV & Neighbourhood Watch Victoria’s safety tips as Caravan theft hits 10 year high
And it's not like you can hide a caravan under a hoodie and disappear into the crowd.
TADA launches in Melbourne to celebrate travel agents’ vital role
We're wondering if they got all the experts in the room first then open the door, and unveil the gathering with 'Ta-da'.
Holland America Line celebrates the holiday season with festive food and beverage menus
Please ensure you don't get your spiked and non-alc eggnogs mixed up. It could get ugly.
Perth welcomes tourism experts to the opening of The World Travel & Tourism Council summit
Perth gets big brownie points for scoring this summit, and the city is shining at its very best at the moment.
Runaway Bay Motor Inn on the Gold Coast for sale after three decades of ownership
If you've been thinking about a change of career, perhaps owning a 40-room motel on the Gold Coast could be for you.
Italian National Tourist Board promotes ‘Roots Tourism’ in Melbourne
Is there anywhere better to announce a brand new tourism campaign... Other than Sydney, of course.
Safari Guru offers peace of mind when going on African Adventures
The Top Five around our office: office dogs Luna, Chompy, Mei mei, & Poppy, an Indian minor and a daddy long legs.
Seafood Excellence winners launch new sea-to-plate menu onboard Luxe Island Seafood Cruise
A day at sea with the best seafood WA has to offer, from the sea to your plate. What are you waiting for!
Qantas offers flights from Cyprus to help get Australians home from Lebanon
Free flights on Qantas Boeing 787 out of Cyprus will bring home up to 440 Australians.
35 per cent base salary increase part of Virgin Australia pilots new enterprise agreement
Virgin Australia pilots have overwhelmingly voted in favour of a new enterprise agreement that delivers substantial improvements to their pay and working conditions, following 15 months of negotiations. The new agreement guarantees a 35 per cent base salary increase in the first year, followed by 3 per cent annual increases and includes industry-leading lifestyle and […]
Brisbane makes top 10 list of trending global destinations for 2025
Given this 'demand' is driven by Millennial and Gen Z travellers, this may change tomorrow - or today.
Emirates announces partnership with Etihad Clean Energy Development
Emirates is going solar... Even its planes can’t say no to a bit of fun in the sun!
Australia’s best & worst international airline food rankings: Who’s on top?
Now matter how often you fly, the foil wrapper is always lifted with anticipation, sometimes followed by indigestion.
Insure&Go warns Aussies of costly travel insurance mistakes as international travel surges
We wonder what other countries need to be warned about alcohol overconsumption clauses... The Irish may get a start!
Shipshape start to the South Australian 2024-25 cruise season
The food of Kangaroo Island, the wine of Clare Valley and wrapping their lips around pronouncing Fleurieu Peninsula.
PROFILE: Tony Wheeler, Lonely Planet founder and constant traveller
No doubt he's covered a few miles and has a few million frequent flyer points. Passports? He's probably had a few too.
Hotel, flight bookings spike as fans head to grand finals, aka Katy Perry and Kid Laroi concerts
Three-peat was pushing it, and four-peat would be just ridiculous. We are talking of the made-up word, not the stat.
Explora Journeys unveils marine photography exhibition by Prince Hussain Aga Khan aboard EXPLORA II
We'd be setting up a 'cameras for sale' stand outside the gallery because we're certain guests are going to be inspired!
Wendy Wu Tours unveils new Namibia Adventure tour
Wendy Wu is spreading her wings to the wilds of Africa, so our animal instincts predict amazing itins.
Air Vanuatu set to fly again after court decides to allow restructure
The news gives us hope that perhaps one of our recently defunct carriers may get a second life, albeit unlikely.
Riviera Travel River Cruises launches early bird sale for 2026
We hope there is a not a set of scales on these cruises, or a weight limit on the ships for that matter.
Qatar Airways expands to Canada with launch of Toronto flights
Qatar's going from strength to strength at the moment. The same can't be said for our progress in the gym...
ATIA wins big with federal inquiry into tourism and international education
We're generally used to hearing about the negatives coming out of a Federal inquiry, so this is a nice change of tune.
Silversea announces development of the southernmost hotel on earth
Staying at this hotel is going to be absolutely terrifying if you are a flat earther!
Auckland and Rotorua launch ‘2 Easy’ campaign to attract Aussies
As an Aussie, we do feel very seen by this campaign. Thank you New Zealand.
Massive shortage of pilots here as flying schools here close down due to weight of completely useless red tape & bureaucracy. Virgin pilots have had leave cancelled.
The world needs pilots & foreign airlines are having work seminars here to try & OZ pilots to live overseas.
will simply lead to more offshoring. Phoned Woolies insurance 1300 number & phone was answered in AKL.