The proposed changes to the 457 to ENS pathway make absolutely no sense.

Raul- The proposed changes to the 457 to ENS pathway make absolutely no sense.

The employer nomination scheme is the most successful visa program, as in most cases, the applicants are already working in the role and continue to work in the role and/or occupation after achieving Permanent Residency, thus filling skill shortages.

The skilled program (189/190) in comparison does not have the same success, as many migrants cannot find employment in the occupation they have been nominated in, as they have never been tested in the Australian labour market. You then have the situation where highly qualified migrants take low skilled employment, as they have no other choice. This in my opinion does more damage for Australian job seekers, as competition for non or low skilled jobs increases.

I  agree that rorting of the 457 program is a compliance issue which DIBP already have powers to address. The vast majority of business using the subclass 457 program use it properly to supplement their skilled workforce when required. 

IMHO the latest changes are very much a political move aimed at bolstering support by taking advantage of the general public's ignorance of a highly emotive, complex and misunderstood program. The changes will hurt Australian Business, which in turn will hurt Australian job seekers.

Raul Senise