LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.683
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017
INDIAN WORKERS IN AUSTRALIA
683. SHRI Y. V. SUBBA REDDY:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of skilled Indian workers working in Australia under temporary visa i.e., 457;
(b) whether Australia has cancelled 457 visa and replaced it with a new one;
(c) if so, the details thereof and how the new one is different from the earlier 457 visa and to what extent the new one impacts / likely to impact skilled Indian workers;
(d) whether any consultations have been held with Australia either by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) or her Ministry to resolve this problem; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI M. J. AKBAR)
(a) As of September, 2016, 25571 Indian nationals were working in Australia on 457 visa.
(b) & (c) Yes, on 19 April, 2017, an announcement was made that 457 visa category will be abolished in a phased manner. With effect from March 2018, it will be replaced with the ‘Temporary Skills Shortage Visas’ programme, providing for a short-term visa for
up to two years and a medium term visas of up to four years depending on the occupation. English language proficiency requirement has also been made more stringent. This change is not India specific.
(d) & (e) The matter has been taken up with Australia at various levels including at the highest level.
*****