Australian Group Investment Pty Ltd (Migration) - [2025] ARTA 305

AUSTRALIAN GROUP INVESTMENT PTY LTD (MIGRATION) [2025] ARTA 305 (19 FEBRUARY 2025)
DECISION AND
REASONS FOR DECISION
Applicant:Australian Group Investment Pty Ltd
Respondent:  Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
Tribunal Number:  2320783

Tribunal:Peter Emmerton
Place:Adelaide
Date: 19 February 2025
Decision:The Tribunal sets aside the decision under review and substitutes a decision approving the nomination.

Statement made on 19 February 2025 at 3:25pm
CATCHWORDS
MIGRATION – Federal Circuit and Family Court remittal – application for approval of nomination of position – temporary residence transition stream – corporate services manager – training commitments and obligations – 2% of payroll paid to industry training fund does not need to be paid within each 12 months, but may be paid within the sponsorship period – decision under review set aside
LEGISLATION
Migration Act 1958 (Cth), s 140GB
Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), rr 2.68(k)(i)(B), 2.87B, 5.19(3)(f)
STATEMENT OF REASONS
APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration on 10 August 2017 to reject the applicant’s application for approval of the nomination of a position in Australia under r.5.19 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations).
The applicant applied for approval on 15 June 2017. The requirements for the approval of the nomination of a position in Australia are found in r.5.19 of the Regulations which contains two alternative streams: a Temporary Residence Transition nomination (r.5.19(3)) stream and a Direct Entry nomination (r.5.19(4)) stream. If the application is made in accordance with r.5.19(2) and meets the requirements of either stream, then the application must be approved. If any of the requirements are not met, then the application must be refused: r.5.19(5).
In this case, the applicant has applied for approval of a nomination, seeking to satisfy the criteria in the Temporary Residence Transition nomination stream.
The delegate refused the application on the basis the applicant’s nomination did not satisfy r.5.19(3)(f) of the Regulations because of a lack of evidence to satisfactorily substantiate the application.
The Tribunal affirmed the decision on 4 April 2019 because the requirements of r.5.19(3)(f) were not met.
On 31 October the Federal Circuit and Family Court issued a writ of certiorari issue quashing the decision. A writ of mandamus issue was subsequently issued requiring the ART to re-hear the application for review according to law.
For the following reasons, the Tribunal has decided to set aside the decision under review and substitute a decision approving the nomination.
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE
The issue in this case is whether the applicant meets the requirements for approval of the nomination under the Temporary Residence Transition nomination stream set out in r.5.19(3), which is extracted in the attachment to this decision. For the nomination to be approved, all the requirements must be met.
The application must be compliant: r.5.19(3)(a)
Regulation 5.19(3)(a) requires that the application for approval must be in the approved form, must be accompanied by the prescribed fee and, where applicable, must include the required written certification relating to conduct that contravenes s.245AR(1). The application must also identify a relevant person and occupation.
The company applied on the approved form and paid the required application fee. The application therefore satisfies r.5.19(3)(a)(i).
The application identifies Ms Dan Xu for the nominated occupation. The Department’s movement details confirm that her original 457 visa was granted on 6 January 2014. The Tribunal is satisfied from this evidence that the nominee held a Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa at the date the application was made on 15 June 2017. The applicant therefore satisfies the requirement in r.5.19(3)(a)(ii).
Regulation 5.19(3)(a)(iii) requires the applicant to identify an occupation with the same ANZSCO unit code as the occupation carried out by the holder of the Subclass 457 visa identified in the application. The company nominated the position of Corporate Services Manager in the application for approval of the nomination, ANZSCO 111131. The Tribunal has considered the tasks undertaken by the nominee and compared these to the tasks listed in ANZSCO 142114. The Tribunal is satisfied that the nominee is undertaking the role as stated within the business. The Tribunal finds that the applicant has identified the occupation of Corporate Services Manager ANZSCO 111131, which has the same 4-digit occupation unit group code as the occupation carried out by Ms Xu. Accordingly, the Tribunal finds that the applicant satisfies r.5.19(3)(a)(iii).
Given the above findings, the requirements in r.5.19(3)(a) are met.
Status of the nominator r.5.19(3)(b)
Regulation 5.19(3)(b) requires the nominator to be or have been the relevant standard business sponsor who is actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia. In addition, the nominator, as that Standard Business Sponsor, must not have met certain criteria relating to the operation of a business overseas, in the most recent sponsorship approval.
The Department's records confirm the company was approved as a Standard Business Sponsor from 2 September 2013. This was renewed for an additional 5 years on 9 August 2017.
The Tribunal has had regard to the business registration and ABN records on the ASIC public databases. The Tribunal accepts from this that the applicant is currently registered as a business. The Tribunal is satisfied based on the ASIC registration records and financial statements that the applicant is actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia. It, therefore, satisfies regulation r.5.19(3)(b)(ii).
The Department's records confirm the applicant was the standard business sponsor who last identified Ms Xu in a nomination under section 140GB of the Act. In that case, it satisfies regulation r.5.19(3)(b)(i).
The Department's records also confirm the applicant did not obtain approval as a Standard Business Sponsor on the basis that it was operating a business outside Australia. In that case, it meets the criteria in regulation r.5.19(3)(b)(iii).
Given the above, the requirements in r.5.19(3)(b) are met.
Previous employment of the nominee: r.5.19(3)(c)
Broadly speaking, to meet the requirement in r.5.19(3)(c), either:
·the nominee must have been employed full time in Australia in the position for which they hold a Subclass 457 visa for at least 2 of the 3 years preceding the nomination application; or
·the nominee holds a Subclass 457 visa on the basis that they were identified in a nomination of a specified occupation for that visa, the nominator nominated the occupation, and the nominee has been employed in that occupation for at least 2 years in the 3 years immediately before the application.
The Tribunal is satisfied from the employment contracts, Departmental movement records and the original visa application provided by the Department, that Ms Xu has worked for the company since 1 March 2014.
The Tribunal finds from the above evidence that Ms Xu was employed full-time in Australia as a Corporate Services Manager for more than two of the three years preceding the nomination application made on 15 June 2017. During this period, she was the holder of a Subclass 457 visa.
Given the above findings, the requirement in r.5.19(3)(c) is met.
Term of employment of the visa holder: r.5.19(3)(d)
Regulation 5.19(3)(d) requires the nominee to be employed in the nominated position for at least 2 years full time, and the terms and conditions of that employment do not expressly exclude the possibility of an extension.
The Tribunal notes that the business appears to be financially stable with a solid asset base.
The Tribunal has had regard to the signed Employment Agreement and is satisfied that the nominee will be appointed for a period of at least 2 years employment from grant of visa and the terms of employment do not include an express exclusion of the possibility of extending the period of employment.
Given the above findings, the requirement in r.5.19(3)(d) is met.
No less favourable terms and condition of employment: r.5.19(3)(e)
Regulation 5.19(3)(e) requires that the terms and conditions of employment applicable to the nominated position will be no less favourable than those that are, or would be, provided to an Australian citizen or permanent resident performing equivalent work in the same workplace at the same location.
It is noted that the delegate did not express any concerns regarding this matter.
The Tribunal accepts that the nominee’s annual salary of $250,000 as appropriate and is reflective of her experience relevant to the nominated position. Additionally, the Tribunal researched the salaries offered for similar positions in other entities. The Tribunal is satisfied that the terms and conditions of employment are equivalent to other employees with the same experience performing equivalent work in the same workplace.
Accordingly, the requirements of r.5.19(3)(e) are met.
Training commitments and obligations: r.5.19(3)(f)
Regulation 5.19(3)(f) requires the applicant to have fulfilled any commitments made relating to meeting training requirements, and complied with applicable obligations relating to training requirements, during the period of the applicant’s most recent sponsorship approval. These requirements may be disregarded if it is reasonable to do so.
A person who is a standard business sponsor of at least one primary sponsored person must comply with requirements relating to training of Australian workers, in each year the person engages a Subclass 457 visa holder.[1]
[1] r.2.87B as inserted by SLI 2013 No.146. In addition to sanctions being able to be imposed for breach of this sponsorship
The requirements relating to training are specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing,[2] and are the same requirements as the benchmarks for the training of Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents specified for the criteria for approval as a standard business sponsor under r.2.87B.
[2] r.2.87B(2) and (3). The current instrument is in the Register of Instruments – Business Visas, under the ‘Training’ tab.
For an established business as is the case here, expenditure that can count towards this benchmark includes:
·    paying for a formal course of study for the business’s employees who are Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents or for TAFE or University students, as part of the organisational training strategy;
·    funding a scholarship in a formal course of study approved under the Australian Qualifications Framework for the business’s employees who are Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents or, for TAFE or University students, as part of the organisational training strategy;
·    employment of apprentices, trainees or recent graduates on an ongoing basis in numbers proportionate to the size of the business;
·    employment of a person who trains the business’s Australian employees who are Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents as a key part of their job;
·    evidence of payment of external providers to deliver training for Australian employees;
·    on-the-job training that is structured with a timeframe and clearly identified increase in the skills at each stage, and demonstrating:
o the learning outcomes of the employee at each stage;
o how the progress of the employee will be monitored and assessed;
o how the program will provide additional and enhanced skills;
o the use of qualified trainers to develop the program and set assessments;                    and
o the number of people participating and their skill/occupation.
As noted above, the company's Standard Business Sponsorship commenced on 2 September 2013. The obligations are set out in the Specification of Training Benchmarks and Training Requirements (the Specification). The company meets its obligation if there is “recent expenditure, by the business, to the equivalent of at least 1% of the payroll of the business, in the provision of training to employees of the business” in each 12-month period from then until the end of the sponsorship. The expenditure must be for specified items as indicated above, which include formal training for employees who are Australian citizens and permanent residents and for employment of apprentices. The applicant’s submission is that the training undertaken is for such persons in the applicant’s company.
The Tribunal has carefully reviewed the detailed information provided by the applicant in relation to the nature of the expenditure undertaken for training its’ Australian citizens or permanent resident personnel and is satisfied that it fits within the descriptions above of expenditure that can count towards this benchmark. The Tribunal notes that substantially more relevant information supporting the training claims was provided to it, than was initially provided to the delegate.
The Tribunal accepts the nominator for the first 3-year SBS commencing 2 September 2013, met its commitments by spending at least 1% of its payroll from 2014-2016 inclusive as demonstrated by training receipts from appropriate training organisations.
The Tribunal in addition accepts the nominator met its training obligations for 2017 and 2018 by paying 2% of its payroll to an industry training fund. In addition, that payment had been made during the most recent approval as a Standard Business Sponsor. As found by His Honor Judge Goodchild in ‘Australian Group Investments Pty Ltd V Minister for Immigration Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs’ on 31 October 2023, the Tribunal accepts the 2% of payroll does not need to be paid immediately within each 12-month period but may be paid within the most recent approved SBS period.
Evidence of the appropriate levels of expenditure was provided in the form of receipts for Industry Training Funds with a Registered Training Organisation, (Bond University).
Accordingly, the requirement in r.5.19(3)(f) is met.
No adverse information known to Immigration: r.5.19(3)(g)
Regulation 5.19(3)(g) requires that there is no adverse information known to Immigration about the nominator or person associated with the nominator; or it is reasonable to disregard any such information. For these purposes, ‘adverse information’ and ‘associated with’ have the meaning given in r.1.13A and 1.13B.
There is no evidence before the Tribunal the applicant has anything but a satisfactory record of compliance with the immigration laws of Australia.
The delegate made any comment on this issue.
Accordingly, the requirements of r.5.19(3)(g) are met.
Satisfactory compliance with workplace relations laws: r.5.19(3)(h)
Regulation 5.19(3)(h) requires that the applicant has a satisfactory record of compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth, and of each State or Territory in which the applicant operates a business and employs employees in the business, relating to workplace relations.
There is no evidence before the Tribunal that the applicant has anything but a satisfactory record of compliance with workplace relations law in Australia.
Accordingly, the requirements of r.5.19(3)(h) are met.
Conclusion
Based on the findings above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant meets all the requirements of r.5.19(3) and therefore, r.5.19 for approval of the nomination of the position in Australia.
DECISION
The Tribunal sets aside the decision under review and substitutes a decision approving the nomination.
Peter Emmerton
Member

ATTACHMENT - EXTRACTS FROM THE MIGRATION REGULATIONS 1994
5.19Approval of nominated positions (employer nomination)
…
(2)The application must:
(a)be made in accordance with approved form 1395…; and
(aa) include a written certification by the nominator stating whether or not the nominator has engaged in conduct, in relation to the nomination, that constitutes a contravention of subsection 245AR(1) of the Act; and
(b)be accompanied by the fee mentioned in regulation 5.37.
Temporary Residence Transition nomination
(3)The Minister must, in writing, approve a nomination if:
(a)the application for approval:
(i)       is made in accordance with subregulation (2); and
(ii)      identifies a person who holds a Subclass 457 … visa granted on the basis that the person satisfied the criterion in subclause 457.223(4) of Schedule 2; and
(iii)     identifies an occupation, in relation to the position, that:
(A)is listed in ANZSCO; and
(B)has the same 4-digit occupation unit group code as the occupation carried out by the holder of the Subclass 457 … visa; and
(b)the nominator:
(i) is, or was, the standard business sponsor who last identified the holder of the Subclass 457 … visa in a nomination made under section 140GB of the Act or under regulation 1.20G or 1.20GA as in force immediately before 14 September 2009; and
(ii)      is actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia; and
(iii)     did not, as that standard business sponsor, meet regulation 1.20DA, or paragraph 2.59(h) or 2.68(i), in the most recent approval as a standard business sponsor; and
(c)either:
(i)       both of the following apply:
(A)in the period of 3 years immediately before the nominator made the application, the holder of the Subclass 457 …visa identified in subparagraph (a) (ii) has:
(I)held one or more Subclass 457 visas for a total period of at least 2 years; and
(II)been employed in the position in respect of which the person holds the Subclass 457 … visa for a total period of at least 2 years (not including any period of unpaid leave);
(B)the employment in the position has been full-time, and undertaken in Australia; or
(ii)      all of the following apply:
(A)the person holds the Subclass 457 … visa on the basis that the person was identified in a nomination of an occupation mentioned in sub-subparagraph 2.72(10)(d)(iii)(B) or sub-subparagraph 2.72(10)(e)(iii)(B);
(B)the nominator nominated the occupation;
(C)the person has been employed, in the occupation in respect of which the person holds the Subclass 457 … visa, for a total period of at least 2 years in the period of 3 years immediately before the nominator made the application; and
(d)for a person to whom subparagraph (c)(i) applies:
(i)       the person will be employed on a full-time basis in the position for at least 2 years; and
(ii)      the terms and conditions of the person’s employment will not include an express exclusion of the possibility of extending the period of employment; and
(e)the terms and conditions of employment applicable to the position will be no less favourable than the terms and conditions that:
(i)are provided; or
(ii)would be provided;
to an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident for performing equivalent work in the same workplace at the same location; and
(f)either:
(i)       the nominator:
(A)fulfilled any commitments the nominator made relating to meeting the nominator’s training requirements during the period of the nominator’s most recent approval as a standard business sponsor; and
(B)complied with the applicable obligations under Division 2.19 relating to the nominator’s training requirements during the period of the nominator’s most recent approval as a standard business sponsor; or
(ii)      it is reasonable to disregard subparagraph (i); and
Note Different training requirements apply depending on whether the application for approval as a standard business sponsor was made before 14 September 2009 or on or after that date.
(g)either:
(i)       there is no adverse information known to Immigration about the nominator or a person associated with the nominator; or
(ii)      it is reasonable to disregard any adverse information known to Immigration about the nominator or a person associated with the nominator; and
(h)the nominator has a satisfactory record of compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth, and of each State or Territory in which the applicant operates a business and employs employees in the business, relating to workplace relations.

This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration to refuse to approve a nomination under [s 140GB of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (the Act) and reg [insert regulation, eg 2.72] of the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) (the Regulations) OR reg 5.19 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) (the Regulations)].
The applicant applied for approval of the nomination on 15 June 2017. The delegate decided not to approve the nomination on the basis that [insert brief explanation of basis of delegate’s decision].
If the matter is before the Tribunal because of a Court order, insert brief details.
[Delete if no hearing: The applicant appeared before the Tribunal on [insert hearing date] to give evidence and present arguments. The Tribunal also received oral evidence from [insert details for persons who gave evidence (if any): ]. [Amend as appropriate: The Tribunal hearing was conducted with the assistance of an interpreter in the Mandarin and English languages.]
For the following reasons, the Tribunal has concluded that the decision under review should be [affirmed OR set aside and substituted with a decision that the nomination is approved OR set aside and remitted for reconsideration with the order that the nomination meets [insert relevant criterion].
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE
The issue in the present case is [insert brief description].
DECISION
Date(s) of hearing: [insert hearing date]
Representative for the Applicant:

obligation, applicants for variation of sponsorship approval under r.2.68 are required to have complied with this obligation
during the period of the applicant’s most recent approval as a standard business sponsor in order to have their application for
variation of the terms of their sponsorship approved. See r.2.68(k)(i)(B) as inserted by SLI 2013 No.146 for applications for the
variation of the terms of approval as a sponsor made, but not finally determined, before 1 July 2013 or made on or after 1 July

2013.