Training benchmarks after 3/2018

[Working Visa]

Hi everyone. I was on 457 visa from 10/2016. In 10/2018, my employer will lodge his nomination for my 186 visa under TRT. In this case, does my employer have to pay:

1. $3000 to Skilling Australia Fund, and

2. An amount complying with training bench mark requirement covering periods 10/2016-6/2017 and 7/2017-6/2018.

OR my employer has to pay ONLY $3000 to Skilling Australia Fund?

Appreciate if someone can help with advice or information. Thank you

[Raul Senise]

Although no Regulations are yet available, Information from the Government so far is that:

• transitional arrangements are expected to provide that sponsors are not required to meet the training benchmarks for any period where charging of the SAF has commenced;
• however, training compliance requirements for earlier periods for which the training benchmarks were in place will still need to be met.

[Working Visa]

Regarding training benchmark requirement, Home Affairs has its most recent advice (3/2018):

Additional advice on training requirements

The Bills to implement the SAF levy are currently before the Parliament. As a result, for ENS and RSMS applications lodged on or after 18 March 2018:

• DE stream nominations will still need to meet the training benchmark requirements.
• TRT stream nominations will still need to meet training compliance requirements – although a flexible approach will be taken to assessing such compliance during the period between July 2017 and July 2018 consistent with current subclass 457 policy arrangements.

Note:

• Training compliance information will no longer be collected on ENS/RSMS application forms from the date of SAF levy implementation.
• Pipeline TRT stream nominations that remain on hand when the SAF levy is implemented will still be assessed against training compliance requirements where the training obligation was in place for the full year of their standard business sponsorship. There will be no assessment of compliance for part-years before SAF levy implementation.

...........

is it correct if I understand that after SAF is implemented, the immigration dept or Home Affairs will not require my sponsor/employer to submit information on training obligation for 2 years of my 457 visas that I have been on? Instead, my sponsor/employer will only have to pay a levy of $3000 upfront.

(I have been on my 457 visa since 10/2016 and my sponsor/employer will lodge 186 sponsorship in 10/2018). Thanks everyone

[Working Visa]

According to the recent update, the Home Affairs Department will no longer request information on sponsor’s training compliance on and after SAF implementation date.

Although the Department has yet to set an official date, it has announced that the SAF implementation, which was passed by the Australian Parliament on 9 May 2018, is expected to commence during the first quarter of the 2018-2019 financial year.

[Working Visa]

DoHA just released its August Statement confirming SAF implementation starting before end of Sept. Training benchmark will no longer apply after SAF implementation.

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/supporting/Pages/employer-sponsored/employers-agreement-stream.aspx?modal=/visas/supporting/Pages/482/saf.aspx

[Working Visa]

 

The Department of Home Affairs has just announced that the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) charges will commence for nomination applications lodged from 12th August 2018. Requirements for training benchmarks will be abolished on and after this date.