UPDATES: SKILLING AUSTRALIANS FUND LEVY and LABOR MARKET TESTING
The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy when legislated in the first quarter of Financial Year 2018 / 19 (July through September) will be used to fund training programs and opportunities for Australian workers.
Australian employerssponsoring foreign workers on Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visas, Employer Nomination Scheme, or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) will be required to pay the prescribed Skills levy in full, at time of lodging the Nomination application. Should the Nomination be refused, the levy will be refunded to the employer.
Labor Market Testing (LMT) recently introduced for TSS applications has been revised. The new provision, also to be implemented between July and September, will require 4 consecutive weeks’ advertising within a period of no longer than 4 months prior to lodging a Nomination. In order to gain a full understanding of proposed LMT obligations, please refer to:
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/supporting/Pages/482/labour-market-testing-requirement.aspx
Current LMT directives applying to TSS visas remain until further notice.
Expat International’s Visa Division will be pleased to discuss these changes, and advise specific levies per application, to assist employers gain insight for their budget estimations.
