Temporary Residency Visa (Subclass 457)
(Prospective or Appointed Staff [Foreign Nationals])
These visas are primarily used for international skilled overseas workers who are offered employment by the University. The visa is valid for a period of up to four years in a specific occupation nominated by the University and is renewable.
A School or Division may nominate an international candidate with this visa if the position to be filled is highly skilled and cannot be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident. This must be demonstrated by undertaking a competitive selection criteria and advertising the role.
Subclass 457 eligibility requirements
The University will agree to nominate the potential or current staff member on a subclass 457 visa if the following requirements have been met:
- The position must be full time.
- The position must be from the DI&C 457 eligible ANZSCO occupation list(opens in a new window)
- The position must be advertised to seek applicants locally.
- The position must pay above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), a threshold which ensures that overseas workers will have enough money to be self-reliant while in Australia. At present the TSMIT is set at AU$51,400 and is indexed annually.
- The position must be 'skilled'. The definition of 'skilled' is Levels 1-4 of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. The most common skilled positions nominated by the University are University Lecturer (ANZSCO 242111) for Academic Levels B,C,D and EW or University Tutor (ANZSCO 242112) for Academic Level A
- The applicant must have the skills, qualifications and experience to match those required for the position for which they have been nominated.
- The applicant must demonstrate English language proficiency.
Subclass 457 visa process
The Subclass 457 visa process is a three stage process:
- Sponsorship approval – Western Sydney University has a valid current sponsorship approval.
- Lodge a nomination application. The University's Relocation Consultant will be required to submit the nomination application to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship before the visa application can be lodged by the nominated staff member.
- The University's Relocation Consultant will contact the nominated staff member with visa instructions on how to lodge an online visa application once the visa nomination is lodged.
Subclass 457 visa processing time
Approximately 4-6 weeks.
Delays may result if further checks such as health and police/security assessments are required by the DI&C.
Please also be aware that the processing time is contingent on providing a "decision ready" application to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. A "decision ready" application means that all the minimum required documents requested in the nomination and visa check lists are submitted with the relevant application form. Therefore the application must be submitted with all the required documentations as outlined in the nomination and visa check lists to the appropriate visa processing centre.
Subclass 457 application costs
DI&C nomination fee visa cost is AUD$85 payable by the sponsoring School/Division at time of lodgement
DI&C personal visa cost is AUD$350 payable by the Visiting Academic at time of lodgement, however the appointee may be entitled to claim the cost as per their relocation allowance entitlements.
Health insurance requirements
It is a requirement of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) under visa Condition 8501, that all Subclass 457 visa holders are responsible for all health costs for themselves and their family for the duration of their stay in Australia. Applicants for Subclass 457 visas will need to provide evidence that they have obtained adequate insurance as part of the visa application submitted to DIAC.
It is a requirement of the DIAC that you take out adequate health insurance in order to cover your journey to Australia and until such time that you obtain a Medicare Card. You may take out private health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia, should you wish to.
The Australian Government has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) between other governments to cover some medically necessary treatments. Find out if you are a resident of a country which has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with the Australian Government (opens in a new window).
Please note that you will need to have an Australian address before you can apply for a Medicare Card.
Travel insurance does not provide adequate health cover for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining a Temporary business long stay - subclass 457 visa.