Immigration Update: Australia | Skilling Australia fund update
06 August 2018
Skilling Australia fund
The implementation date of the Skilling Australia Fund (SAF) training levy has now been released. Employer sponsored applications lodged from August 12th will incur the new training levy.
Who will be affected?
Employers who sponsor applicants under the temporary subclass 482 (TSS) visa or the permanent visas, subclasses 186 and 187.
Background:
On 18 April 2017 wide-sweeping changes were announced to Australia’s employer sponsored visa programs. The changes were to take effect in stages throughout 2017 and 2018. The implementation of the SAF represents the final stage of these changes. It is also expected that changes to labour market testing will soon be implemented.
Impact:
The SAF levy must be paid at the time of nomination application for applications lodged from August 12th. For the purpose of the levy, large business is defined as one which has an annual turnover of more than $10M. Small business is defined as one which has an annual turnover of less than $10M.
TSS Nominations:
- Small business: $1,200 for each visa year
- Large business: $1,800 for each visa year
Subclass 186 & 187 Nominations:
- Small business: $3,000
- Large business: $5,000
LMT:
Changes to labour market testing are also expected to be implemented. Once the changes are in effect, LMT must be conducted not more than 4 months before the nomination is received. The advertising must be for 4 weeks.
Santa Fe Analysis:
The levy can be avoided for nomination applications lodged before August 12th. After August 12th the levy is payable. Whilst the SAF will have an economic impact; many sponsors will welcome the removal of the burdensome training requirements. Santa Fe will provide further updates regarding LMT as more information becomes available.
For further information or assistance, please contact:
Simon Delmo
Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation Australia
Registered Migration Agent No. 1066328
D: +61 3 9554 7393
E: Simon.Delmo@staging.santaferelo.com
Byron Lewis
Regional Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation Hong Kong
D: +852 2586 6023
M: +852 9023 3109
E: Byron.Lewis@staging.santaferelo.com
Soumeya Messadi
Head of Immigration Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa
Santa Fe Relocation Singapore
D: +65 6398 3520 / +65 9169 6061
E: soumeya.messadi@staging.santaferelo.com
