Regency Render & Cladding Pty Ltd (Migration)

[2023] AATA 3679

Regency Render & Cladding Pty Ltd (Migration) [2023] AATA 3679 (16 October 2023)

DECISION RECORD

DIVISION:Migration & Refugee Division

APPLICANT:  Regency Render & Cladding Pty Ltd

REPRESENTATIVE:  Mr James Hammond (MARN: 0636764)

CASE NUMBER:  2006496

HOME AFFAIRS REFERENCE(S):          BCC2020/153227

MEMBER:Alison Mercer

DATE:16 October 2023

PLACE OF DECISION:  Melbourne

DECISION:The Tribunal affirms the decision not to approve the nomination.

Statement made on 16 October 2023 at 3:49pm

CATCHWORDS 
MIGRATION – nomination – Medium-term stream – Painting Trades Worker – not satisfied that the applicant had a genuine need for the nominated within its business – applicant failed to provide the requested information within the prescribed period – lack of available information – decision under review affirmed 

LEGISLATION
Migration Act 1958, ss 65, 140GBA, 359, 360, 363
Migration Regulations 1994, r 2.72

CASES

Cargo First Pty Ltd v MIBP [2016] FCA 30
Hasran v MIAC [2010] FCAFC 40

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 17 March 2020 to refuse to approve the applicant’s nomination under s 140GB of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (the Act) and reg 2.72 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) (the Regulations).

2. The applicant, Regency Render & Cladding Pty Ltd, applied for approval of its nominated position of Painting Trades Worker, on 24 January 2020. A nomination of an occupation for a subclass 482 visa is made under s 140GB of the Act and reg 2.73 of the Regulations. The occupation must be nominated for a subclass 482 visa in one of three alternative streams: the Short-term stream, the Medium-term stream or the Labour Agreement stream. Regulation 2.72 prescribes general and stream-specific criteria that must be satisfied for the Minister to approve a nomination by a person. These criteria are extracted in the attachment to this decision. Additional criteria are specified in s 140GBA. In this case, the occupation is nominated for a subclass 482 visa in the Medium-term stream.

3. The delegate decided not to approve the nomination on the basis that the applicant did not satisfy r.2.72(10)(a) of the Regulations, as the delegate was not satisfied that the applicant had established that it had a genuine need for the nominated within its business. The delegate found that the applicant had provided insufficient evidence about its operations, staffing, structure, workforce and financial situation for the delegate to be satisfied that it had a genuine need for a Painting Trades Worker.

4. The Tribunal received a review application on 1 April 2020. It was lodged on behalf of the applicant by its director, Ms Maram Hatwik, and was accompanied by a copy of the delegate’s decision and an authority by which Ms Hatwik appointed a migration lawyer, Mr James Hammond, as the applicant’s representative and authorised recipient for correspondence.

5. On 11 August 2023, the Tribunal wrote to Ms Hatwik via the lawyer to invite her, pursuant to s.359(2), to provide updated and current information demonstrating that the applicant met all of the relevant criteria in r.2.72 (not merely the criterion that the delegate found was not met). The Tribunal provided examples of the kind of information that would assist it, and requested that the information be provided (or an extension of time sought to do so) by 25 August 2023. The Tribunal advised Ms Hatwik that if the requested information was not provided (and a request for an extension of time to do so was not received) by 25 August 2023, then the applicant would lose its entitlement to have a person attend a Tribunal hearing on its behalf, and the Tribunal might proceed to make its decision on the available evidence.

6. On 25 August 2023, the applicant’s lawyer requested an extension of time to provide the information. This was granted on 28 August 2023, to 25 September 2023.

7. The Tribunal did not receive the requested information, or a further request for an extension of time, by 25 September 2023.

8. The Tribunal is satisfied that its letter of 11 August 2023 was sent to the email address most recently nominated for correspondence by Ms Hatwik on behalf of the applicant, and there is no evidence in the Tribunal’s electronic records that the email was undeliverable or not delivered.

9. The Tribunal notes that it has no power to extend the period to respond to an invitation when a request for an extension is received after the initial prescribed period has passed: Hasran v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (2010) 183 FCR 413 at [48]. As above, an extension request was received, and was granted, but the requested information was not received in the extended prescribed period, and there was no further request for an extension of time to provide the information. On behalf of the applicant, Ms Hatwik did not provide the information requested in the Tribunal’s letter in the extended prescribed period. Accordingly, the applicant has lost its entitlement to have an authorised officer represent it at a hearing: s.360(3).

10. The Tribunal has considered whether to make a further request for information from the applicant, but – in view of the lack of response by the due date, and the fact that the applicant was given additional time to provide the requested information but has not done so – the Tribunal has elected not to do so and instead has proceeded to make its decision on the available evidence. It considers that it is reasonable to do so in the circumstances of the  case, having regard to the principles set out in Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v Li (2013) 249 CLR 332.

11. For the following reasons, the Tribunal has decided to affirm the decision under review to refuse the nomination.

    CONSIDERATION OF LAW, CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

12. The issue in the present case is whether the applicant meets the criteria for approval of the nomination. The Tribunal must approve the nomination if the applicant is an approved work sponsor and meets the requirements in reg 2.72: s 140GB(2). The applicant must also have paid any nomination training contribution charge in relation to the nomination for which they are liable. In addition, the labour market testing requirements in s 140GBA must be met.

    Position must be genuine and full-time

13. Regulation 2.72(10)(a) requires that the position associated with the nominated occupation is genuine. A similar requirement was considered in Cargo First Pty Ltd v MIBP [2016] FCA 30, where the Court (at [34]) upheld the Tribunal’s approach of qualitatively assessing the position and comparing this with the occupation nominated in order to determine whether it was genuine. In addition, reg 2.72(10)(b) requires the position to be a full-time position, unless it is reasonable to disregard this requirement.

14. As noted above, the delegate was not satisfied that this position was genuine, as they did not accept that the applicant genuinely required a Painting Trades Worker within its business.

15. The Tribunal has reviewed the material provided to the Department in April 2020, which indicates that the applicant trades as Regency Rendering & Cladding Pty Ltd, a rendering, cladding and painting business servicing commercial and residential clients in suburban Melbourne.

16. However, no evidence has been provided to the Tribunal about the current scope of the applicant’s business activities, particularly since the lengthy lockdowns in Melbourne associated with the global COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022, which adversely affected many businesses in Melbourne.

17. Given the lack of current information, the Tribunal is not satisfied that the position associated with the nominated occupation is genuine or whether a Painting Trades Worker is genuinely needed within the applicant’s business.

18. Accordingly, the Tribunal is not satisfied that r.2.72(10)(a) is met, and therefore finds that r.2.72(10) is not met as a whole.

19. For the reasons given above, the Tribunal is not satisfied that the applicant meets the applicable criteria for the nomination to be approved. Accordingly, the decision under review must be affirmed.

    DECISION

20. The Tribunal affirms the decision not to approve the nomination.

    Alison Mercer
    Member

    
    

    ATTACHMENT - EXTRACTS FROM THE MIGRATION REGULATIONS 1994

    2.72 Criteria for approval of nomination--Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa and Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa

    (1)This regulation applies in relation to a person who:

    (a)is any of the following:

    (i)       a standard business sponsor;

    (ii)      a person who has applied to be a standard business sponsor;

    (iii)     …

    (iv)    …

    (b)under paragraph 140GB(1)(b) of the Act, nominates a proposed occupation in relation to any of the following (the nominee):

    (i)       a holder of a Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa;

    (ii)      a holder of a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa;

    (iii)     an applicant or a proposed applicant for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa.

    (2)For the purposes of paragraph 140GB(2)(b) of the Act, the criteria set out in this regulation are prescribed.

    Note: In addition, subsection 140GB(2) of the Act requires the person to be an approved work sponsor and to have paid any nomination training contribution charge in relation to the nomination.

    (3)The Minister is satisfied that the person made the nomination in accordance with the process set out in regulation 2.73.

    (4)The Minister is satisfied that either:

    (a)there is no adverse information known to Immigration about the person or a person associated with the person; or

    (b)it is reasonable to disregard any adverse information known to Immigration about the person or a person associated with the person.

    (5)The Minister is satisfied that:

    (a)if the occupation is nominated for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream or Medium-term stream—the person is a standard business sponsor; or

    (b)…

    (5A)The Minister is satisfied that any debt due by the person as mentioned in section 140ZO of the Act (recovery of nomination training contribution charge and late payment penalty) has been paid in full.

    (6)If the nominee holds:

    (a)a Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa; or

    (b)a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa;

    the Minister is satisfied that the person has listed on the nomination each other holder of either of those kinds of visa who was granted the visa on the basis of having the necessary relationship with the nominee as mentioned in clause 457.321 of Schedule 2 (as in force before 18 March 2018) or subclause 482.312(1) of Schedule 2.

    (7)However, the Minister may disregard the fact that one or more persons required to be listed on the nomination are not listed, if the Minister is satisfied it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so.

    (8)The Minister is satisfied that:

    (a)the occupation and its corresponding 6-digit code correspond to an occupation and its corresponding 6-digit code specified in:

    (i)       if the occupation is nominated for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream or Medium-term stream—the instrument made under subregulation (9) in force at the time the nomination is made; or

    (ii)      …; and

    (b)the occupation applies to the nominee in accordance with the instrument or work agreement.

    (9)The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify occupations and, for each occupation:

    (a)whether the occupation is:

    (i)       a short term skilled occupation; or

    (ii)      a medium and long term strategic skills occupation; and

    (b)either:

    (i)       the 6-digit ANZSCO code for the occupation; or

    (ii)      if there is no 6-digit ANZSCO code for the occupation—a 6-digit code for the occupation; and

    (c)if there is no 6-digit ANZSCO code for the occupation—tasks, qualifications and experience for the occupation; and

    (d)any matters for the purpose of determining whether the occupation applies to a nominee, including matters relating to any of the following:

    (i)       the person who nominated the occupation;

    (ii)      the nominee;

    (iii)     the occupation;

    (iv)    the position in which the nominee is to work;

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

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

    (10)The Minister is satisfied that the position associated with the occupation is:

    (a)genuine; and

    (b)a full-time position.

    (10A)However, the Minister may disregard the criterion in paragraph (10)(b) if the Minister is satisfied that it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so.

    (11)If:

    (a)the occupation is nominated for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream or Medium-term stream; and

    (b)the person is not an overseas business sponsor; and

    (c)the occupation is not an occupation specified by the Minister in an instrument made under subregulation (13);

    the Minister is satisfied that:

    (d)the nominee will be engaged only as an employee under a written contract of employment by the person or an associated entity of the person (the employer); and

    (e)the person will give the Minister a copy of the contract signed by the employer and the nominee.

    (12)If:

    (a)the occupation is nominated for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream or Medium-term stream; and

    (b)the person is an overseas business sponsor; and

    (c)the occupation is not an occupation specified by the Minister in an instrument made under subregulation (13);

    the Minister is satisfied that:

    (d)the nominee will be engaged only as an employee under a written contract of employment by the person; and

    (e)the person will give the Minister a copy of the contract signed by the person and the nominee.

    (13)The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify occupations for the purposes of paragraphs (11)(c) and (12)(c) …

    (14)If:

    (a)the occupation is nominated for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream or Medium-term stream; and

    (b)the nominee holds a Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa or a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa; and

    (c)the Minister requested the person to provide evidence that the nominee satisfies the language test requirements;

    the person has provided evidence to the Minister that the nominee satisfies:

    (d)if the occupation is nominated for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream—any language test requirements specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument for clause 482.223 of Schedule 2 that would apply to the nominee if the nominee were an applicant for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream; or

    (e)if the occupation is nominated for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Medium-term stream—any language test requirements specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument for clause 482.232 of Schedule 2 that would apply to the nominee if the nominee were an applicant for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Medium-term stream.

    (15)Subject to subregulation (16), if:

    (a)the occupation is nominated for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream or Medium-term stream; and

    (b)the Minister is not satisfied that the nominee’s annual earnings in relation to the occupation will be at least the amount specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument made for the purposes of this paragraph;

    the Minister is satisfied that:

    (c)the annual market salary rate for the occupation has been determined by the person in accordance with the instrument made under subregulation (17); and

    (d)the annual market salary rate, excluding any non-monetary benefits, for the occupation (determined by the person in accordance with an instrument made under subregulation (17)) is not less than the temporary skilled migration income threshold specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument made for the purposes of this paragraph; and

    (e)the nominee’s annual earnings in relation to the occupation will not be less than the annual market salary rate for the occupation (determined by the person in accordance with an instrument made under subregulation (17)); and

    (f)the nominee’s annual earnings, excluding any non-monetary benefits, in relation to the occupation will not be less than the temporary skilled migration income threshold specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument made for the purposes of paragraph (d); and

    (g)either:

    (i)       there is no information known to Immigration that indicates that the annual market salary rate for the occupation (determined by the person in accordance with an instrument made under subregulation (17)) is inconsistent with Australian labour market conditions relevant to the occupation; or

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

    (16)However:

    (a)the Minister may disregard the criterion in paragraph (15)(d) if the Minister is satisfied that:

    (i)       the annual market salary rate for the occupation (determined by the person in accordance with an instrument made under subregulation (17)) is not less than the temporary skilled migration income threshold specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument made for the purposes of paragraph (15)(d); and

    (ii)      it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so; and

    (aa)the Minister may disregard the criterion in paragraph (15)(e) if:

    (i)       under subregulation (10A), the Minister disregards the criterion in paragraph (10)(b) in relation to the position associated with the occupation; and

    (ii)      the Minister is satisfied that it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so; and

    (b)the Minister may disregard the criterion in paragraph (15)(f) if the Minister is satisfied that it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so.

    (17)The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify a method for determining the annual market salary rate for an occupation nominated under section 140GB of the Act or an occupation in relation to which a position is nominated under regulation 5.19.

    (18)If the occupation is nominated for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream or Medium-term stream, the Minister is satisfied that:

    (a)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 nominee 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; and

    (b)if the person is lawfully operating a business in Australia—the person has not engaged in discriminatory recruitment practices.

    (19)…