LPA recently submitted a response to a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Discussion Paper about proposed changes to sponsorship and employee protection arrangements that will apply to users of the subclass 457 (Business Long Stay) visa program and other “400 series” visas, including subclass 420 Entertainer.

LPA expressed concerns about the additional financial and administrative burden that would be placed on sponsors by some the proposals including:

- sponsors of 457 visa holders being obliged to pay income protection insurance for visa holders;

- sponsors of 457 and 420 visa holders being made directly liable for public hospital health insurance premiums for visa holders;

- sponsors of 457 visa holders being liable for the public education costs of any minors residing in Australia with a 457 visa holder;

- sponsors being responsible for fees associated with migration agent services.

LPA also made the suggestion that the existing obligation for sponsors to cover the public hospital expenses of visa holders should not apply where the visa holder has failed to disclose pertinent medical information on their visa form.

The full version of LPA’s submission can be downloaded Here.

Members will be advised as soon as the outcomes of the DIAC reforms are known.