The Australian government is abolishing the 457 work visa for foreigners. Foreigners will now have to be better educated if they want Australian jobs. The government hopes this will make more jobs available to Australians.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull talked about why the government is changing the regulations, “The fact is that the migration program should only operate in our national interest. This is all about Australia’s interest, this is about jobs for Australians. It’s about growing the Australian economy so that Australian families can realize their dreams, so that Australian businesses can invest and employ and get ahead. That’s what it’s all about. And so this rigorous focus, this laser-like focus on our national interest will ensure that where skill gaps arise and can’t be filled by Australians, then foreign workers can come in, but not otherwise.”
The 457 visa is used by about 95,000 foreign workers. Current visa holders will not be affected.
