Sponsoring Workers Going to Australia

Lots of businesses in Australia need employees to fill in the vacant positions in their offices. Some of them want Australians as part of their workforce but there are other businesses that are willing to subsidize qualified applicants and give work to deserving candidates�whatever country you may come from.

Through the Temporary Employer-Sponsored Workers program, Australian businesses would be able to hire workers from any part of the world and hopeful Australian visa applicants would be able to make their dreams of working and living in Australia come true.

Employers who need personnel may sponsor qualified applicants through an employer-sponsorship arrangement. This arrangement would allow migrants to stay and work in Australia as a skilled worker temporarily for up to four years.

Backing up qualified employees is as easy as 1-2-3. One way is through sponsorship by an Australian or overseas business. Business sponsorship is classified as Temporary Business Sponsorship and Overseas Business Sponsorship. The former allows employers to back up a number of temporary business entrants within a two-year period while in the latter, businesses that do not have formal operating offices in Australia may sponsor entrants to fulfill contracts and obligations in other businesses in Australia and to establish a branch, joint venture, or agency distributorship in Australia.

Businesses that use Temporary Business Sponsorship should:

demonstrate to the department that they can satisfy the sponsorship criteria, including their ability to comply with undertakings in relation to the approved number of sponsored employees

lodge the nomination and visa applications well before the given period of time expires

make new sponsorship applications if they wish to sponsor additional entrants

Businesses that use Overseas Business Sponsorship should:

complete the sponsorship and nomination form 1196

make sponsorship undertakings

In order to sponsor workers in going to Australia, Australian businesses must be willing to abide by the sponsoship regulations stated in the sponsorship forms formulated by the Australian government. They should, also, manifest proofs that the business/businessman:

is abiding the Australian law and is active in the business;

will be the direct employer of the temporary business entrant;

has a good business record and abides by immigration laws;

will bring benefit to Australia through the employment of a temporary resident; and

will advance skills through technology or training.

Source: Australian Immigration (http://immi.gov.au)

Australia needs skills

Australia is looking for skilled Filipino workers who are fluent in the English language to be part of its Skilled Migration Program. Applicants should have professional or trade skills included in the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) and must be under 45 years old. Click here for Expo Information for Overseas Skilled Workers

Exploitation of Australia's Skilled Immigration Program

The Australia 457 Visa Scheme

Skilled workers are highly in-demand in Australia nowadays and so many Filipinos are eager to grab the opportunity. However, so many people dreams of landing a job in Australia that sometimes taking time to ensure that you will enjoy proper working conditions in your host country are ignored.

If you are a skilled worker with a job offer in Australia, it is advisable that you study the provisions stated in your contract. Many companies in Australia are hiring skilled foreign workers via the Visa 457 scheme or the employer nominated temporary residence visas for Australia.

The Visa 457 was set up by the Howard government and allows Australian employers to bring in foreign workers to Australia. The problem with this skilled immigration system is that it mainly works for the benefit of the employer and has provisions that put the workers to a disadvantage.

For one, the 457 visa program compels the workers to sign individual contracts and pay dubious fees for immigration expenses. They are also offered a salary lower than their Australian counterparts and face the risk of being deported if they question their conditions.

Many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been victimized by Visa 457. They are forced to sign blank documents and were charged with very expensive immigration fees. They are also obliged to live in an overpriced house that slices off a big chunk out of their monthly salary. The 457 Visa also makes it difficult to transfer to a new employer as it requires them to return to their home country first.

Overseas workers are more easily exploited because they are at the mercy of their employers. They cannot join their fellow workers in industrial action or standing up for their rights without fear of being fired and forced to leave the country.

One organization, the Australian Manufacturing Worker’s Union (AMWU) fights the unfair provisions of the Visa 457 and assist exploited workers. They defend the rights of their members to receive proper salary and be given decent working conditions. Overseas workers need to have the same rights, the same pay, and the same conditions as their Australian co-workers.

For assistance on 457 visa, you can contact the AMWU Helpdesk at +61 2 8863 7900 or send an email at amwu@amwu.asn.au. You can also call a local number 421-1049 and ask for Australia 457 visa assistance.