Hedland Taxis (Migration)

Case

[2024] AATA 465

3 January 2024


Hedland Taxis (Migration) [2024] AATA 465 (3 January 2024)

DECISION RECORD

DIVISION:Migration & Refugee Division

APPLICANT:  Hedland Taxis

REPRESENTATIVE:  Ms Sarah Leona FRANKEL

CASE NUMBER:  2011164

HOME AFFAIRS REFERENCE(S):          BCC2020/1528999

MEMBER:De-Anne Kelly

DATE:3 January 2024

PLACE OF DECISION:  Brisbane

DECISION:The Tribunal sets aside the decision under review and substitutes a decision approving the nomination.

Statement made on 03 January 2024 at 2:52pm

CATCHWORDS
MIGRATION – nomination Temporary Residence Transition nomination – Transport Company Manager – nominator is actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia – genuine need to employ a paid employee to work in the position under the nominator’s direct control – no adverse information – position associated with the nominated occupation is genuine – no less favourable terms and condition of employment – decision under review set aside

LEGISLATION
Migration Act 1958, ss 65, 140GB, 245AR, 359, 376
Migration Regulations 1994, rr 1.03, 2.57, 2.72, 5.19

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

  1. This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Home Affairs on 16 June 2020 to reject the applicant’s application for approval of the nomination of a position under reg 5.19 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) (the Regulations).

  2. The applicant applied for approval on 12 May 2020. The requirements for the approval of the nomination of a position in Australia are found in reg 5.19 of the Regulations, which contains general requirements for approval and additional requirements for approval set out in three alternative streams: a Temporary Residence Transition stream, a Direct Entry stream and a Labour Agreement stream. If the application meets the requirements for approval then the application must be approved: reg 5.19(3)(a). If any of the requirements are not met then the application must be refused: reg 5.19(3)(b).

  3. In this case, the applicant has applied for approval of a nomination, seeking to satisfy the criteria in the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

  4. The delegate refused the application on the basis the applicant’s nomination did not satisfy reg 5.19(5)(k) of the Regulations because the evidence did not demonstrate a genuine need for the nominator to employ the identified person to work in the nominated position under their direct control.

  5. The applicant appeared before the Tribunal 21 December 2023 to give evidence and present arguments. The Tribunal also received oral evidence from the nominee.

  6. The applicant was represented in relation to the review by Ms Sarah Leona FRANKEL.

  7. 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

  8. The issue in this case is whether the applicant meets the general requirements for approval of the nomination set out in reg 5.19(4) and the stream specific requirements set out in TRT reg 5.19(5) which are extracted in the attachment to this decision. For the nomination to be approved, all the requirements must be met.

  9. On 12 May 2020 the applicant Ljubica Spoljaric trading as Hedland Taxis lodged an Employer Nomination Scheme – visa subclass 186 application in the Temporary Residence Transition stream for the position of Transport Company Manager to be employed on South Hedland, Western Australia 6722 on $72,000 in favour of Ms Bozana IVKOVIC. She was granted a 457 visa on 12 May 2016.

  10. The director is Ljubica SPOLJARIC however she was overseas at the time and had been unwell for some time and Ms Bozana Iskovic appeared on her behalf and gave an overview of the business being Hedland Taxis and a ride share company H Ride, which is an on-demand charter. They have 27 cars and 34 drivers and are the main commercial transport in Hedland driving mine staff to the mine sites from the airport and hospital and other essential service personnel to the local hospital from their accommodation. They are the only provider with wheelchair accessibility. There is only one other small taxi company which operates on a seasonal basis.

  11. Ms Iskovic was very forthright and transparent. She loves living in Hedland and loves her job. There are only 15,000 regular residents although they have over 40,000 FIFO workers in the town which has the largest export port in the Southern Hemisphere for iron ore and salt. Rio Tinto is a major company in the town. Ms Iskovic’s husband works for one of the mining companies and her son who only knows Hedland is completing year 12 and starting an apprenticeship to follow his father with a career with the same mining company. Her daughter is completing a university course Software Engineering in Perth and is starting her Masters soon and planning to return and make her career in Hedland. The family are very much part of the community.

    Application requirements – reg 5.19(4)(a)

  12. Regulation 5.19(4)(a) requires that an application for approval be made in accordance with a number of requirements set out in reg 5.19(2). Regulation 5.19(2) requires that an application must:

    ·be made in accordance with approved form 1395 (Internet);

    ·identify the position;

    ·identify a person in relation to the position;

    ·identify an occupation in relation to the position,

    ·identify the subclass and stream to which the nomination relates;

    ·be accompanied by the fee mentioned in reg 5.37; and

    ·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 s 245AR(1) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (the Act).

  13. Applications made on or after 12 August 2018 must also be accompanied by any nomination training contribution charge the nominator is liable for, and identify the annual turnover for the nomination: regs 5.19(2)(fa), (fb). The liability is imposed by s 140ZM of the Act and the charge is imposed by the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Act 2018 (Cth), with the amount specified in the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Regulations 2018 (Cth) (Charges Regulations). ‘Annual turnover’ is defined in the Charges Regulations for liable persons operating a business in Australia as the total ordinary income (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth)) derived in the most recent income year (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth)) ending before the day on which the nomination application is made. In any other case, it is defined as the total income the person liable derived in the ordinary course of business in the most recent financial year ending before the day on which the nomination application is made.

  14. Further, if the subclass identified in the application is Subclass 187, the application must be made before 16 November 2019, unless the exception in reg 5.19(2A) applies. The exception applies to an identified person who is a ‘transitional 457’ or ‘transitional 482’ worker at the time of application. This means, respectively, a person who on or after 18 April 2017 held a Subclass 457 visa, and a person who on 20 March 2019 held a Subclass 482 visa in the Medium-term stream or was an applicant for a Subclass 482 visa in the Medium-term stream that was subsequently granted: reg 1.03.

  15. The application was made on form 1395 internet, identified the position of Transport Company Manager and identified Ms Ana YAGO PASCUAL in relation to the position and applied under the Employer Nomination Scheme – visa subclass 186 application in the direct entry stream. A written certification was included, and the Department would have accepted any training contribution applicable.

  16. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that the application complied with the requirements in reg 5.19(2) and that reg 5.19(4)(a) is met.

    No adverse information known to Immigration – reg 5.19(4)(b)

  17. Regulation 5.19(4)(b) requires that either there is no adverse information known to Immigration about the nominator or a person associated with the nominator, or it is reasonable to disregard any such information.

  18. The Tribunal has no information that would be adverse regarding the nominator or a person associated with the nominator and the Manager confirmed that they comply with all their statutory obligations as a corporate entity.

  19. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that reg 5.19(4)(b) is met.

    Mandatory licencing, registration and memberships – reg 5.19(4)(c)

  20. Regulation 5.19(4)(c) provides that if it is mandatory in the State or Territory in which the position is located for a person to hold a licence or a registration of a particular kind, or be a member (or a member of a particular kind) of a particular professional body, to perform tasks of the kind to be performed in the occupation, the identified person is, or is eligible to become, the holder of the licence, the holder of the registration, or a member of the body, at the time of application.

  21. In this instance, the relevant State or Territory is Western Australia, and the relevant occupation is Transport Company Manager and the date of application is 12 May 2020 and as such licencing is not required.

  22. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that reg 5.19(4)(c) is met.

    Satisfactory compliance with employment laws - reg 5.19(4)(d)

  23. Regulation 5.19(4)(d) requires that the nominator has a satisfactory record of compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth, and of each State or Territory in which the nominator operates a business and employs employees in the business, relating to employment.

  24. There is no evidence that the applicant has breached Workplace Relations laws.

  25. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that reg 5.19(4)(d) is met.

    Training contribution debts – reg 5.19(4)(da)

  26. Regulation 5.19(4)(da) applies to applications made on or after 12 August 2018. It requires that any debt due by the nominator as mentioned in s 140ZO of the Act, relating to recovery of nomination training contribution charges and penalties for underpayments, has been paid in full.

  27. At the time of application, the Skilling Australia Fund (SAF) levy would have been in place and as such any training contribution would have been paid at the time of application.

  28. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that reg 5.19(4)(da) is met.

    Visa held by identified person at time of application - reg 5.19(5)(a)

  29. Regulation 5.19(5)(a) requires that the identified person holds a visa of a particular kind at the time the application for approval of the nominated position was made. There are several alternatives including:

    ·a Subclass 457 visa granted on the basis of satisfying the Standard Business Sponsorship stream (cl 457.223(4)); or

    ·a Subclass 482 visa in the Medium-term stream; or

    ·for persons specified in a legislative instrument, a Subclass 482 visa in the Short-term stream; or

    ·if the last substantive visa held was one of the above three visa types, a bridging visa granted on the basis they are an applicant for one of those visa types (for a Subclass 482 in the Short-term stream, only those persons specified in the legislative instrument), or for a Subclass 186 or 187 visa.

  30. The nominee has held a 457 visa and subsequent bridging visa granted on the basis they are an applicant for one of those visa types since May 2016.

  31. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that reg 5.19(5)(a) is met.

    Occupation requirements – regs 5.19(5)(b), (c), (d)

  32. A number of requirements relating to the occupation identified in relation to the nominated position are set out in regs 5.19(5)(b), (c) and (d). The occupation identified in this application is Transport Company Manager.

  33. Firstly, the occupation must be listed in ANZSCO (the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) and have the same 4 digit ANZSCO occupation unit group code as the occupation in relation to which the identified person’s most recently held Subclass 457 or 482 visa was granted: reg 5.19(5)(b).

  34. Secondly, the occupation must be an occupation specified in a legislative instrument made under reg 5.19(8) and in force at the time the application is made, and apply to the identified person in accordance with that instrument, unless identified as exempt by an instrument made under that subregulation: reg 5.19(5)(c). The relevant instrument is LIN19/ 049 compilation no 3.

  35. Finally, the Tribunal must be satisfied either that there is no information known to Immigration that indicates that the identified person is not genuinely performing the tasks of the occupation as specified in ANZSCO, or that it is reasonable to disregard any such information: reg 5.19(5)(d).

  36. The position Transport Company Manager is listed in ANZSCO and has the same 4 digit ANZSCO occupation unit group code as the occupation in relation to which the identified person’s most recently held Subclass 457 was granted and the nominee is genuinely performing the tasks of the occupation as specified in ANZSCO

  37. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that regs 5.19(5)(b), (c) and (d) are met.

    Visas and previous employment of identified person – regs 5.19(5)(e), (f), (g)

  38. Regulations 5.19(5)(e), (f) and (g) set out requirements in respect of the identified person’s visa history and employment during certain periods immediately prior to the nomination application being made. The qualifying periods set out in these provisions can be modified for specified persons by legislative instrument: reg 5.19(6).

  39. Firstly, reg 5.19(5)(e) requires that the identified person must have held one or more of the following visas for a total period of at least 3 years in the period of 4 years immediately before the nomination application was made:

    ·a Subclass 457 visa in the Standard Business Sponsorship stream, or

    ·a Subclass 482 visa in the Medium-term stream, or

    ·for a person specified in a legislative instrument made under reg 5.19(5)(a)(iii), a Subclass 482 visa in the Short-term stream.

  40. Secondly, unless the Subclass 457 or 482 visa held was granted in relation to an occupation specified in an instrument made under reg 2.72(13), reg 5.19(5)(f) requires that the identified person was employed in the position to which the Subclass 457 or 482 visa(s) were granted on a full-time basis, with the employment being undertaken in Australia, for a total period of at least 3 years during the period of 4 years immediately before the nomination application was made. The 3 years of employment cannot include any periods of unpaid leave.

  41. If the Subclass 457 or 482 visa was granted in relation to an occupation specified in an instrument under reg 2.72(13), then reg 5.19(5)(g) must be satisfied instead of reg 5.19(5)(f). It requires that the identified person was employed in that occupation for a total period of at least 3 years (not including any periods of unpaid leave) during the periods of 4 years immediately before the nomination application was made.

  42. In this case, the nomination application was made on 12 May 2020. The relevant instrument made under reg 5.19(6) is IMMI 18/085. Having regard to the terms of that instrument, the Tribunal finds that it is applicable and has applied the modified time periods as set out in the

  43. The nominee has held a 457 visa from 2016 and since then has worked full time, as evidenced by payslips and financial statements, from the employer as a Transport Company Manager.

  44. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that regs 5.19(5)(e) and (f) are met.

    Status of the nominator – reg 5.19(5)(h)

  45. Regulation 5.19(5)(h) requires that the nominator was the standard business sponsor who last identified the identified person in a nomination approved under s 140GB of the Act and is actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia.

  46. The sponsor is the sole trader Ljubica Spoljaric actively and lawfully operating a business in Hedland Western Australian, who was the standard business sponsor SBS of the nominee with sponsorship granted on 12 May 2016.

  47. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that reg 5.19(5)(h) is met.

    Genuine need for employment – regs 5.19(5)(j) and (k)

  48. Regulation 5.19(5)(j) requires the nomination application to identify a need for the identified person to be employed in the position, under the direct control of the nominator, and reg 5.19(5)(k) requires this need to be genuine. These requirements do not apply in relation to occupations specified in an instrument made under reg 2.72(13).

  49. Currently overseas and not well and appoint me to do the.

  50. The applicant Ljubica Spoljaric is overseas at present and is unwell.  However the nominee has been working in the business since 2016 as a sponsored employee and at least since 2010 and from her description of her duties and responsibilities there is a need for the nominee to be employed in the position under the nominator’s direct control, and the need is genuine

  51. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that 5.19(5)(j) and reg 5.19(5)(k)] is met. Accordingly, reg 5.19(4)(e) is met.

    Future employment – regs 5.19(5)(l), (m), (n)

  52. Regulations 5.19(5)(l), (m) and (n) contain requirements relating to the future employment of the identified person.

  53. Firstly, reg 5.19(5)(l) requires that the identified person will be employed on a full-time basis in the position for at least 2 years. This requirement does not apply in relation to occupations specified in an instrument made under reg 2.72(13). reg 5.19(7).

  54. Secondly, reg 5.19(5)(m) requires that the terms and conditions of the identified person’s employment will not include an express exclusion of the possibility of extending the period of employment.

  55. Finally, reg 5.19(5)(n) requires that the nominator’s business has the capacity to employ the identified person for at least 2 years and to pay the person at least the annual market salary rate for the occupation each year. The ‘annual market salary rate’ is the earnings an Australian citizen or permanent resident earns or would earn for performing equivalent work on a full-time basis for a year in the same workplace at the same location: reg 1.03.

  56. The financial statements show the following profitable business from FY2021 to FY 2023. They demonstrate that the nominee will be employed on a full-time basis for at least two years. It is evident that the nominee will be working in Hedland in the position for an indefinite period and the salary of $62,000 is at least the annual market salary rate for a Transport Company Manager.

Year 2023 2022 2021
Income   425,540     411,304    427,170
Subcontractors   116,366     127,200      94,375
Wages     84,800     84,700      62,000
Profit   130,367     92,678      31,819
Assets   121,187    145,967
  1. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that 5.19(5)(l), (m) and (n) are met.

    Annual earnings – reg 5.19(5)(o)

  2. Regulation 5.19(5)(o) provides that the requirements set out in reg 2.72(15) must be met, applying regs 2.72(15) and 2.72(16) as if reg 2.72(15)(a) did not apply and references to ‘the nominee’ and ‘the person’ were references to the identified person and the nominator respectively. Regulation 2.72(15) contains several requirements which must be met if the identified person’s annual earnings in relation to the occupation will not be at least the amount specified in the instrument IMMI 18/033. Regulation 2.57A provides for the meaning of ‘earnings’. Where reg 2.72(15) applies, it requires that:

    ·the annual market salary rate (the rate) for the occupation has been determined by the applicant by reference to instrument IMMI 18/033. reg 2.72(15)(c). The ‘annual market salary rate’ means the earnings an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident earns or would earn for performing equivalent work on a full-time basis for a year in the same workplace at the same location: reg 1.03.

    ·the rate, excluding any non-monetary benefits (as defined in reg 2.57A(3)), for the occupation is not less than the temporary skilled migration income threshold specified in the instrument  (TSMIT), unless the rate for the occupation is not less than the TSMIT, and it is reasonable in the circumstances to disregard this criterion: regs 2.72(15)(d) and 2.72(16)(a);

    ·the identified person’s annual earnings in relation to the occupation will not be less than the rate for the occupation, unless it is reasonable in the circumstances to disregard this criterion, and the criterion in reg 2.72(10)(b) in relation to the need for a full-time position is disregarded under reg 2.72(10A): regs 2.72(15)(e) and 2.72(16)(aa). However, in this case, the power under reg 2.72(10A) does not arise;

    ·the identified person’s annual earnings, excluding any non-monetary benefits (as defined in reg 2.57A(3)), in relation to the occupation will not be less than the TSMIT, unless it is reasonable in the circumstances to disregard this criterion: regs 2.72(15)(f) and 2.72(16)(b); and

    ·either there is no information known to Immigration that indicates the rate for the occupation is inconsistent with Australian labour market conditions relevant to the occupation, or it is reasonable to disregard any such information: reg 2.72(15)(g).

  1. The nominee is paid $62,000 per annum and TSMIT is $53,900 and the evidence shows that it is the annual market salary rate (the rate) for the occupation of Transport Company Manager.

  2. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is not satisfied that reg 5.19(5)(o) is met. Accordingly, reg 5.19(4)(e) is not met.

    No information to indicate less favourable employment conditions – reg 5.19(5)(p)

  3. Regulation 5.19(5)(p) requires that there is either no information known to Immigration that indicates the employment conditions (other than in relation to earnings) that will apply to the identified person are less favourable to those that apply, or would apply, to an Australian citizen or permanent resident performing equivalent work at the same location, or that it is reasonable to disregard any such information. The salary is consistent with the salary paid to Australians doing the same work in the location of Hedland.

  4. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that reg 5.19(5)(p) is met.

    Information required by the Minister – reg 5.19(5)(q)

  5. Regulation 5.19(5)(q) requires that the nominator has provided the information required by the Minister for the purposes of regs 5.19(k) to (n). Regulations 5.19(k) to (n) concern a genuine need for the identified person to be identified in the position under the nominator’s direct control; employment on a full-time basis for at least 2 years; the identified person’s terms and conditions not expressly excluding the possibility of extending the period of employment beyond this; and the nominator’s business having the capacity to employ the identified person for at least 2 years and pay them at least the annual market salary rate.

  6. Fulsome information has been provided by the applicant to satisfy the regulations.

  7. Given the above findings, the Tribunal is satisfied that reg 5.19(5)(q) is met.

  8. Based on the findings above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements of reg 5.19 for approval of the nomination of the position in Australia.

    DECISION

  9. The Tribunal sets aside the decision under review and substitutes a decision approving the nomination.

    De-Anne Kelly
    Member


    ATTACHMENT – EXTRACTS FROM THE MIGRATION REGULATIONS 1994

    5.19Approval of nominated positions—Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa and Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa

    Application

    (1)A person (the nominator) (including a partnership or unincorporated association) may apply to the Minister for approval of the nomination of a position in Australia.

    (2)The application must:

    (aa) if the application identifies a Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa–be made before 16 November 2019 (subject to subclause (2A)); and

    (a)be made in accordance with approved form 1395 (Internet); and

    (b)identify the position; and

    (c)identify a person (the identified person) in relation to the position; and

    (d)identify an occupation in relation to the position; and

    (e)identify the subclass and stream to which the nomination relates, which must be one of the following:

    (i)a Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream;

    (ii)a Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream;

    (iii)a Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa in the Direct Entry stream;

    (iv)Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa in the Direct Entry stream;

    (v)a Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa in the Labour Agreement stream; and

    (f)be accompanied by the fee mentioned in regulation 5.37; and

    (fa)be accompanied by any nomination training contribution charge the nominator is liable to pay in relation to the nomination; and

    (fb)identify the annual turnover (within the meaning of the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Regulations 2018) for the nomination; and

    (g)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.

    (2A) Paragraph (2)(aa) does not apply if:

    (a) the application identifies a Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream; and

    (b) the identified person is a transitional 457 worker or transitional 482 worker at the time the application is made.

    Approval of nomination

    (3)The Minister must, in writing:

    (a)approve the nomination if the Minister is satisfied that the requirements set out in subregulation (4) are met; or

    (b)otherwise—refuse to approve the nomination.

    Requirements for approval—general

    (4)The requirements to be met for the nomination to be approved are as follows:

    (a)the application is made in accordance with subregulation (2);

    (b)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;

    (c)if it is mandatory, in the State or Territory in which the position is located, for a person to:

    (i)hold a licence of a particular kind; or

    (ii)hold registration of a particular kind; or

    (iii)be a member (or a member of a particular kind) of a particular professional body;

    to perform tasks of the kind to be performed in the occupation, the identified person is, or is eligible to become, the holder of the licence, the holder of the registration, or a member of the body, at the time of application;

    (d)the nominator has a satisfactory record of compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth, and of each State or Territory in which the nominator operates a business and employs employees in the business, relating to employment;

    (da)any debt due by the nominator as mentioned in section 140ZO of the Act (recovery of nomination training contribution charge and late payment penalty) has been paid in full;

    (e)if the nomination relates to a visa in a Temporary Residence Transition stream—the requirements set out in subregulation (5) are met;

    (f)if the nomination relates to a visa in a Direct Entry stream—the requirements set out in subregulation (9) are met;

    (g)if the nomination relates to a visa in a Labour Agreement stream—the requirements set out in subregulation (14) are met.

    Temporary Residence Transition stream—additional requirements for approval

    (5)If the nomination relates to a visa in a Temporary Residence Transition stream, the following requirements must also be met:

    (a)at the time the application is made, the identified person holds:

    (i)a Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa granted on the basis that the person satisfied the criterion in subclause 457.223(4) of Schedule 2 as in force before 18 March 2018; or

    (ii)a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Medium‑term stream; or

    (iii)for a person specified in a legislative instrument made by the Minister for the purposes of this subparagraph—a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short‑term stream; or

    (iv)if the last substantive visa held by the identified person was a visa mentioned in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii)—a bridging visa granted on the basis that the person is an applicant for a visa mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii); or

    (v)if the last substantive visa held by the identified person was a visa mentioned in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii)—for a person specified in a legislative instrument made under subparagraph (iii), a bridging visa granted on the basis that the person is an applicant for a visa mentioned in subparagraph (iii); or

    (vi)if the last substantive visa held by the identified person was a visa mentioned in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii)—a bridging visa granted on the basis that the person is an applicant for a Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa or a Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa;

    (b)the occupation:

    (i)is listed in ANZSCO; and

    (ii)has the same 4‑digit ANZSCO occupation unit group code as the occupation in relation to which the identified person’s most recently held Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa or Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa was granted;

    (c)unless a legislative instrument made under subregulation (8) exempts the identified person from the operation of this paragraph—the occupation must:

    (i)be an occupation specified in an instrument made under subregulation (8) and in force at the time the application is made; and

    (ii)apply to the identified person in accordance with an instrument made under that subregulation;

    (d)either:

    (i)there is no information known to Immigration that indicates that the identified person is not genuinely performing the tasks of the occupation as specified in ANZSCO; or

    (ii)it is reasonable to disregard any such information;

    (e)during the period of 4 years immediately before the application is made, the identified person held one or more of the following for a total period of at least 3 years:

    (i)a Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa granted on the basis that the person satisfied the criterion in subclause 457.223(4) of Schedule 2 as in force before 18 March 2018;

    (ii)a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Medium‑term stream;

    (iii)for a person specified in a legislative instrument made under subparagraph (a)(iii)—a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short‑term stream;

    (f)unless paragraph (g) applies—during the period of 4 years immediately before the application is made, the identified person was employed in the position in relation to which the visa, or visas, mentioned in paragraph (e) were granted:

    (i)for a total period of at least 3 years (not including any periods of unpaid leave); and

    (ii)on a full‑time basis, with the employment being undertaken in Australia;

    (g)if the visa, or visas, mentioned in paragraph (e) were granted in relation to an occupation specified in an instrument made under subregulation 2.72(13)—during the period of 4 years immediately before the application is made, the identified person was employed in the occupation for a total period of at least 3 years (not including any periods of unpaid leave);

    (h)the nominator:

    (i)was the standard business sponsor who last identified the identified person in a nomination approved under section 140GB of the Act; and

    (ii)is actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia;

    (j)the application identifies a need for the identified person to be employed in the position, under the direct control of the nominator;

    (k)there is a genuine need for the identified person to be employed in the position, under the direct control of the nominator;

    (l)the identified person will be employed on a full‑time basis in the position for at least 2 years;

    (m)the terms and conditions of the identified person’s employment will not include an express exclusion of the possibility of extending the period of employment;

    (n)the nominator’s business has the capacity to employ the identified person for at least 2 years and to pay the person at least the annual market salary rate for the occupation each year;

    (o)the requirements set out in subregulation 2.72(15) are met, applying subregulations 2.72(15) and (16) as if:

    (i)paragraph 2.72(15)(a) did not apply; and

    (ii)references to the nominee were references to the identified person; and

    (iii)references to the person were references to the nominator;

    (p)either:

    (i)there is no information known to Immigration that indicates that the employment conditions (other than in relation to earnings) that will apply to the identified person are less favourable than those that apply, or would apply, to an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident performing equivalent work at the same location; or

    (ii)it is reasonable to disregard any such information;

    (q)the nominator has provided the information required by the Minister for the purposes of paragraph (k) to (n).

    Minister may vary certain Temporary Residence Transition stream requirements

    (6)The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine different periods of time for the purposes of paragraphs (5)(e), (f) and (g) for persons specified in the instrument.

    (7)Paragraphs (5)(j), (k) and (l) do not apply in relation to occupations specified in an instrument made under subregulation 2.72(13).

    (8)The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify:

    (a)occupations for the purposes of paragraph (5)(c); and

    (b)persons who are exempt from the operation of that paragraph; and

    (c)for each occupation, any matters for the purposes of determining whether the occupation applies to an identified person, including matters relating to any of the following:

    (i)the nominator;

    (ii)the identified person;

    (iii)the occupation;

    (iv)the position in which the identified person is to work;

    (v)the circumstances in which the occupation is undertaken;

    (vi)the circumstances in which the person is to be employed in the position.

Areas of Law

  • Immigration

  • Administrative Law

Legal Concepts

  • Judicial Review

  • Statutory Construction

  • Procedural Fairness

  • Remedies

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