Friday, 24 May 2013
The price of four-year 457 visas, which are offered to skilled workers and their dependants who are sponsored by an Australian company, will rise from €350 (Aus $455) to €690 (Aus $900) from July 1st.
The move is part of a revenue-raising measure introduced by the Australian government in its budget earlier this week.
It’s expected the price hike in temporary working visas will particularly affect Irish nationals, who in per capita terms head the take-up of the scheme.
Between July 1st and October 1st last year, some 4,120 Irish citizens had their applications for a 457 visa granted – a 30 per cent rise on the same period the previous year.
Of the total 101,970 visa holders, approximately 11,310 – or one tenth of the overall number – are Irish.
Ireland, at 10.2 per cent, is the third highest recipient of the working permits, behind the United Kingdom at 21 per cent and heavily-populated India at 19.8 per cent.
Western Australia is the most popular destination for Irish workers, followed by New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
The top three industries for primary visa grants, according to the most recent figures from Australia’s Department of Immigration, were construction, healthcare and social assistance.
