In response to a recent Freedom of Information request, the Department of Home Affairs has published data relating to Subclass 482 nominations which were refused or withdrawn under Standard Business Sponsorships between 14 August 2018 and 31 December 2018:
As our clients are aware, employers are required to pay contributions to the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) at the time of lodgement of their Nominations. Refund provisions are currently very limited. The above table does not provide any indication as to whether Nominations were lodged for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years, but even assuming that the average was 2 years, based on a total of 2,324 nominations refused or withdrawn, contributions to the SAF for this cohort of nominations would have been over $4.5 million.
If this refusal trend continues, it will be interesting to see whether business lobbies the Government for refund provisions to be relaxed; one of the submissions already made recommends that contributions to the fund be paid at the time of approval of the visa. We will keep you informed.
DISCLAIMER This information is current as of 13 March 2019 and subject to change. The information contained in this publication is of a general nature only. It should not be used as legal advice. To the extent permissible by law, Ajuria Lawyers and its associated entities shall not be liable for any errors, omissions, defects or misrepresentations in the information or for any loss or damage suffered by persons who use or rely on such information. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
