The Beer & Burger Cafe Pty Ltd (Migration) [2018] AATA 122 (24 January 2018)
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DECISION RECORD
DIVISION:Migration & Refugee Division
APPLICANT: The Beer & Burger Cafe Pty Ltd
CASE NUMBER: 1614357
DIBP REFERENCE(S): BCC2016/1826839
MEMBER:Alison Mercer
DATE:24 January 2018
PLACE OF DECISION: Melbourne
DECISION:The Tribunal sets aside the decision not to approve the nomination and substitutes a decision that the nomination is approved.
Statement made on 24 January 2018 at 3:31pm
CATCHWORDS
Migration – Employment Nomination – Café/Restaurant Manager – Applicant’s website – Nature of business – Nominee’s terms of employment and conditions – Genuine need for nominated positionLEGISLATION
Migration Act 1958, ss 140GB, 140GBA, 245AR(1), 359(2), 360(2)(a)
Migration Regulations 1994, rr 1.13A, 1.13B, 2.72(2)-(12), 2.73CASES
Drake v MIEA (1979) 24 ALR 577
Hneidi v MIAC [2009] FCA 983
Lobo v MIMIA [2003] FCAFC 168
Re Drake and MIEA (No 2 ) (1979) 2 ALD 634STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS
APPLICATION FOR REVIEW
This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration on 22 August 2016 to refuse to approve the applicant’s nomination under s.140GB of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) and r.2.72 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations).
The applicant, The Beer & Burger Café Pty Ltd (trading as the Beer & Burger Bar), applied for approval on 24 May 2016. A nomination of an occupation for a subclass 457 visa is made under s.140GB of the Act and r.2.73 of the Regulations. Regulations 2.72(3) to (12) prescribe the 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. For nomination applications made from 23 November 2013, additional criteria are specified in s.140GBA.
The delegate decided not to approve the nomination on the basis that the applicant did not satisfy r.2.72(10)(aa), which requires that the nominated occupation corresponds with an occupation specified by the Minister in a written instrument for the purposes of that paragraph. The applicant’s nominated position was Café or Restaurant Manager (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code 141111). The delegate found that this was listed in the relevant written instrument, IMMI 15/092, but that the instrument excluded positions based in Fast Food or Takeaway Food Service. The delegate concluded that the applicant operated a Fast Food or Takeaway Food Service, although she acknowledged that it also offered dining in facilities. The delegate therefore found that the position nominated by the applicant was excluded from being approved under r.2.72(10)(aa).
The Tribunal received a review application in relation to this decision on 7 September 2016. It was signed on behalf of the applicant by Mr Ryan Kurban, a director. Mr Kurban also provided an authority by which he appointed a registered migration agent, Mr Arthur Vasilopoulos, as the applicant’s representative and authorised recipient for correspondence. A copy of the delegate’s decision was also provided.
On 17 July 2017,…
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CaseChat Overview and Summary
The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether the applicant met the criteria for approval of the nomination under the Migration Regulations 1994. This involved determining if the nomination complied with the prescribed process, if the nominator was a standard business sponsor, if the nominee was correctly identified, and if the nominated occupation and its ANZSCO code corresponded to an occupation specified in the relevant legislative instrument, particularly considering any exclusionary caveats. The Tribunal also had to assess whether there was any adverse information known to Immigration about the applicant or associated persons.
The Tribunal's reasoning focused on a detailed examination of each regulatory requirement. It found that the nomination process was correctly followed, the applicant was an approved standard business sponsor, and the nominee was properly identified. Crucially, the Tribunal addressed the exclusionary caveat for Café or Restaurant Managers in limited service restaurants. After reviewing the provided information and departmental guidance on what constitutes a limited service restaurant, the Tribunal concluded that The Beer & Burger Cafe Pty Ltd's business operations did not fall within the definition of a limited service restaurant as defined by the relevant instrument and policy. The Tribunal was also satisfied that no adverse information was known to Immigration.
Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the Department's decision not to approve the nomination and substituted a decision approving the nomination.
Orders
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Background
Background to the litigation
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Evidence
Evidence Before The Court
Decision
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Accordingly, the Tribunal finds that the requirements of r.2.72(8B) are met.No adverse information known to Immigration Regulation 2.72(9) requires that either: there is no adverse information known to Immigration about the applicant or a person associated with the applicant; or it is reasonable to disregard such information. For these purposes, ‘adverse information’ and ‘associated with’ have the meaning given in rr.1.13A and 1.13B. Having reviewed the Department’s file and its electronic records, the Tribunal finds that there is no evidence to indicate that there is anything adverse that is known to the Immigration (or the Tribunal) about the applicant or any person associated with it. Accordingly, the Tribunal is satisfied that the requirements of r.2.72(9) are met.Specified occupation Subclause 2.72(10)(aa) as it applies in this case, requires that the nominated occupation and its 6-digit code correspond to an occupation and 6-digit code specified in instrument IMMI 17/060, and the occupation must be applicable to the person identified in the nomination in accordance with the instrument. In certain circumstances this instrument may also require the nomination of an occupation to be supported in writing to the Minister, by a specified organisation before the nomination can be approved: r.2.72(10)(b). The Tribunal is satisfied that this is not the case here. In addition, as raised with Mr Kurban of the applicant and his agent at the call over, since the nomination application was lodged on 24 May 2016 and refused on 22 August 2016, exclusionary caveats have been introduced in relation to the occupations that can be approved for the purposes of r.2.72(10)(aa). These were initially introduced in written instrument IMMI 16/059, which took effect on 18 April 2017. As of 1 July 2017, IMMI 16/059 was superseded by the current instrument IMMI 17/060. Currently, note 8 of IMMI 17/060 provides that a Café or Restaurant Manager position is excluded from being approved under r.2.72(10)(aa) if the position is located within a limited service restaurant. The Departmental Procedures Advice Manual (PAM3) (as at 17 January 2018) provides the following advice about what constitutes a ‘limited service restaurant’ in section 4.8.1.3 ‘Occupation Specific Caveats’:…Cafe or Restaurant Manager (ANZSCO 141111) – Condition 8A caveat is in place for this occupation which excludes positions in a limited service restaurant. A limited service restaurant includes, but is not limited to, the following:· fast food or takeaway food services;· fast casual restaurants;· drinking establishments that offer only a limited food service;· limited service cafes including, but not limited to, coffee shops or mall cafes;· limited service pizza restaurants.For further advice regarding how the above terms are defined, refer to Section 4.8.1.4 Additional advice on hospitality positions and caveats.This caveat is designed to ensure that in the context of this occupation, employer sponsored skilled visa programs continue to be used for skill level 2 café or restaurant manager positions only – that is, leadership positions in a dining establishment that involve managerial tasks such as planning menus, organising special functions, purchasing and pricing items according to a budget and maintaining records of stock levels and financial transactions. Café or Restaurant Managers are also expected to assess the level of customer satisfaction and be responsible for selection, training and supervising of waiting and kitchen staff.Note: This does not mean that other tasks cannot be completed by visa applicants nominated as a Café or Restaurant Manager. To meet program requirements, it is expected that only very limited/ad hoc time would, however, be spent doing other tasks, not listed in ANZSCO, that could be performed by a non-skilled employee.Employer sponsored skilled visa programs are not considered appropriate to fill skill level 4 positions such as Café Worker (ANZSCO 431211) and Waiter (ANZSCO 431511), which are not currently included on the approved list of occupations and should be able to be sourced from the local labour market.When determining whether the caveat applies, officers should first confirm that the nominated position is not located in a limited service restaurant – using the guidelines provided at Section 4.8.1.4 Additional advice on hospitality positions and caveats.If this is not the case, additional assessment may be warranted if the officer has concerns that a significant amount of the nominee’s time will be spent on administrative or selling and/or serving food and beverages (e.g. taking orders, operating cash registers, cleaning tables, serving meals/drinks), as opposed to organising and controlling the operation of a café/restaurant.…4.8.1.4. Additional advice on hospitality positions and caveats There are caveats in place for the occupations of Café or Restaurant Manager, Cook and Chef, which exclude the occupation from the subclass 457 programs where the position is based in a limited service restaurant.A limited service restaurant, as outlined in the instrument, includes, but is not limited to, the following: · fast food or takeaway food services;· fast casual restaurants;· drinking establishments that offer only a limited food service;· limited service cafes including, but not limited to, coffee shops or mall cafes;· limited service pizza restaurants.Cook and chef positions are also excluded where they are involved in mass production in a factory setting.This section explains how the above terms are defined under policy for the purposes of these caveats.DefinitionsWhat is a fast food or takeaway service?Under policy, fast food or take away food is defined as food that is quick to cook or is already cooked and as a result can be served as a quick meal or to be taken away – i.e. “a meal to go”. Such food is to be distinguished from a restaurant or café where people sit and eat meals that are cooked and served on the premises, pay on completion of the meal and with the service provided being an important factor, as well as the food. Examples of eating establishments considered under policy to provide fast food or takeaway services may include, but are not limited to, fast food chains, fish and chips shops, hamburger shops, kebab shops, takeaway sushi shops, Asian noodle take away shops and fried chicken shops.Note: additional guidance is provided below in terms of factors that add weight to an eating establishment being considered a fast casual restaurant as opposed to a full service restaurant or café – see Distinguishing between full service and limited service cafés/restaurants below.What is a fast casual restaurant?Fast casual restaurants, sometimes also referred to as fast casual dining outlets, are similar to fast food outlets except the quality of the food and prices of the menu are somewhat higher and they may have a liquor licence. These restaurants are designed to offer the quality of established restaurants with the informality of fast food stores and speedier service than a full service restaurant. Typically, these outlets:· do not provide full table service, with customers ordering their food at a counter even if it is delivered to the table; · operate in chains or as franchises and are heavily advertised;· offer streamlined menus similar to fast food establishments;· offer speed, convenience, and familiarity to diners who may eat in the outlet or take their food home; · do not generally employ chefs – with some menu items still mass-produced, even if they are made from better quality and fresh ingredients,· cater for special dietary needs unlike fast food establishments; and· do not have a drive through facility.Examples of eating establishments that are considered to be fast casual restaurants may include, but are not limited to fast casual dining franchises which focus on serving a ‘gourmet’ or ‘organic’ version of fast food (e.g. burgers, fried chicken, fish and chips, sandwiches) or food from a particular country (e.g. Mexican, Greek, Italian or Japanese). Note: additional guidance is provided below in terms of factors that add weight to an eating establishment being considered a fast casual restaurant as opposed to a full service restaurant or café – see Distinguishing between full service and limited service cafés/restaurantsDrinking establishments that offer only a limited food serviceNominations can be received for the occupations of cooks, chefs and café or restaurant manager where the location is a drinking establishment, such as a pub, a bar, a beer hall or an izakaya. In some cases, these establishments only offer a very limited food service to accompany the drinks that they serve. In other circumstances, the menu available can be comprehensive and equivalent to that of a restaurant – with some pubs even marketing themselves as ‘gastropubs’. Employer sponsored skilled visa programs are not considered appropriate to fill positions in bars/pubs where only a limited food service is provided – with such positions generally lesser skilled and considered able to be sourced from the local labour market.Under policy, a drinking establishment is considered to have a limited food service menu where it only provides snacks (e.g. olives, dips, chips, pickles), or a very limited range of food that involves limited preparation (e.g. toasties, tacos, simple pizza or standard hamburgers). Note: additional guidance is provided below in terms of factors that add weight to an eating establishment being considered a fast casual restaurant as opposed to a full service restaurant or café – see Distinguishing between full service and limited service cafés/restaurants below. Limited service cafes including a coffee shop or mall cafeNominations can be received for the occupations of cooks, chefs and café or restaurant manager where the location is a café. In some cases, these establishments only offer a very limited food service to accompany the drinks that they serve (e.g. coffee, tea, non-alcoholic drinks). In other circumstances, the menu available can be comprehensive and equivalent to that of a restaurant. Employer sponsored skilled visa programs are not considered appropriate to fill positions in cafes where only a limited food service is provided, such as coffee shops or mall cafes – with such positions generally lesser skilled and considered able to be sourced from the local labour market.Under policy, factors adding weight to a finding that an eating establishment is a limited service café include that the café:· is located in a mall;· is primarily a coffee shop (that is, an establishment that focuses on serving hot beverages such as tea or coffee) ;· have a limited food menu that involves limited preparation (e.g. toasties, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, standard hamburgers, fish and chips). By contrast, full service cafes are likely to have a comprehensive food menu and develop most dishes from scratch in a full commercial kitchen.Note: additional guidance is provided below in terms of factors that add weight to an eating establishment being considered a fast casual restaurant as opposed to a full service restaurant or café – see Distinguishing between full service and limited service cafés/restaurant below.Limited service pizza restaurantNominations can be received for the occupations of cooks, chefs and café or restaurant manager where the location is a pizza restaurant. In some cases, these establishments will provide mainly a takeway pizza service with limited other menu items and/or only limited table services. In other circumstances, the menu available can be comprehensive and equivalent to that of a restaurant.Employer sponsored skilled visa programmes are not considered appropriate to fill positions in pizza restaurants where only a limited food service is provided – with such positions generally lesser skilled and considered able to be sourced from the local labour market.Under policy, factors adding weight to a finding that an eating establishment is a limited service pizza restaurant include that the restaurant:· does not serve non-pizza related items;· has minimal onsite seating, with takeway the main focus of the business;· clients pay at the counter;· clients eat pizza from pizza boxes even if on the premises.By contrast, full service pizza restaurants are likely to have a comprehensive food menu and develop most dishes from scratch in a full commercial kitchen.Note: additional guidance is provided below in terms of factors that add weight to an eating establishment being considered a fast casual restaurant as opposed to a full service restaurant or café – see Distinguishing between full service and limited service cafés/restaurants.…Distinguishing between full service and limited service cafés/restaurantsThe sections below are designed to assist officers to determine whether the nominee will be based in a restaurant or café, or in one of the locations that is specifically excluded via a caveat on the occupation listed in the relevant legislative instrument.Officers will need to make an assessment as to the location of the nominated position, based on the individual circumstances of the case and taking into account all the material available in relation to how the business actually operates. The factors outlined below are considered critical in terms of distinguishing between full service and limited service café/restaurants.Note: · The key factors are the way in which the food is ordered, served and consumed, not the quality of the food.· If a food service business operates through a chain or franchise arrangement, it is possible that some outlets will be fast food or takeaway businesses while others are cafes or restaurants. It is therefore important for officers to assess this issue on a case by case basis. In this situation, officers also need to ensure that any supporting evidence provided, relates to the specific outlet that is the subject of the nomination, rather than another premises in the chain.Factors supporting classification as a restaurant or caféUnder policy, factors that may be relevant to an assessment that the position is based in a café or restaurant include:· how the business is marketed to the public· the business is mainly engaged in providing food and beverage serving services for consumption on the premises, even if take away services are available · meals are made on-site from raw ingredients, portion size may vary depending on the cut/produce size available, involving substantial preparation (for example, peeling, chopping, de-boning, grating), seasoning and cooking - using a range of equipment and techniques depending on the nature and size of the produce that is being prepared· a comprehensive menu is available which incorporates a broader range of ingredients that are delivered fresh to the premises· table service is provided by a waiter/waitress – that is customers are seated at restaurant/café tables and provided with assistance while seated as required (i.e. provided with menus, asked for order, provided with additional items/assistance where required and provided with bill) · customers pay after eating· the business holds a liquor licence and has a comprehensive selection of alcoholic beverages available via table service· the menu caters for special dietary requirements and varies from time to time depending on availability of produce, and seasoning· if the menu is limited, there is a focus on organic or specialty ingredients that are prepared onsite or ‘gourmet products’, and/or prices are higher than would be expected at a takeaway establishment · the size of portions may also vary from time to time given the human element involved in the preparation and cooking of the items· the business has a full commercial kitchen and significant food storage facilities for fresh ingredients · the business has had their performance recognised via restaurant industry awards· employment at the business has been accepted by TRA as skilled work experience, or by a recognised training institution as sufficient to support study in a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery · where a chain, different outlets are designed differently to reflect the local customer base and outlets are largely owned by the company rather than franchisees.Factors supporting classification not as a restaurant or café Under policy, factors that may be relevant to an assessment that the position is not a restaurant or café (i.e. that it is based in a fast food or take away service, or a fast casual restaurant) include that:· the business does not offer full table service· the business is a well-known fast food or fast causal restaurant chain · the business markets itself as a fast food restaurant or a fast casual restaurant, within significant levels of advertising · the business is primarily a coffee shop· operate a franchise or restaurant chain, where different outlets are largely identical in design· the business offers speed, convenience, and familiarity to diners who may eat in the outlet or take their food home; · the business mainly engages in providing food services ready to be taken away for immediate consumption with only limited onsite seating provided (if any)· the business offers streamlined or limited menus, with food prepared according to a standardised format or that involves limited preparation (e.g. toasties, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, standard hamburgers, fish and chips). · the business does not generally employ chefs – with food still mass-produced even if better quality and fresh ingredients are used than is typical in a fast food context , with special dietary needs often catered for · the business does not have a full commercial kitchen – and only has equipment for heating/final preparation of food· the business is located in a food hall and food courts that consists of fast food and take away services, as opposed to award winning/high profile restaurants that can now be co-located in some shopping malls · customers are required to order at a counter and pay before eating· limited seating and/or only communal tables shared with other business is provided· meals are served in packaged form and/or there is a focus on ‘street food’ (i.e. handheld foods)· meals are served in disposable containers (although some outlets may provide cutlery and crockery for customers dining in the establishment)· reservations are not required or provided for· food is distributed from a central location· food is apportioned into predetermined quantities and sizes, seasoned to a fixed standard and delivered, pre-packaged, with preparation on-site being limited to thawing, heating and/or basic cooking (e.g. frying or grilling) · if heating or cooking is required, cooking times for the items are usually pre-arranged for a set duration, as the time it takes to cook through can be predetermined given the control over portion size that is packaged prior to delivery to each venue· employees of the business are covered by the Fast Food Industry Award· the business has had their performance recognised via fast food industry awards. Officers are reminded that the above considerations are for guidance only and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Officers must consider, on an individual basis, all circumstances of which they are aware, or should be aware, and which are relevant to the determination, and must not apply these factors inflexibly.…