Immigration law Changes – Update on Foreign Worker Levy
Background
The Australian Federal Budget included a new levy for employers sponsoring foreign workers. Consequently under the new skilled migration scheme, employers will have to pay a levy of up to $5000 per worker.
What does this mean for Employers?
In essence, if the changes are passed in Parliament:
• the requirement for employers to spend 1-2% of payroll on training would be abolished
• employees on temporary work visas will require a levy of $1200 or $1800 per year
• employees on permanent skilled visas will require a one-off levy of $3000 or $5000
• the levy will contribute to a Skilling Australians Fund
• the Skilling Australians Fund will support up to 300,000 apprentices, trainees, pre-apprentices and higher level skilled Australians
Tips for Employers
Our Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions immigration law team and Migration Agent recommends employers:
• review their employment contracts and employment law policies at least once every 12 months to ensure they remain current with workplace practices and all employment laws
• remain informed about legislative changes
• continue to check the Matthews Folbigg website for workplace and immigration law updates
• seek the assistance of an employment lawyer or a migration agent to understand the impacts of these legislative changes
• raise any employment law questions with an employment lawyer
• raise any immigration law questions with a registered migration agent
More Information
Please call the leading immigration lawyers in Parramatta, the Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions employment law team on 9635-7966 to speak with one of our employment lawyers or our migration agent
