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Visa changes to impact region

Mallee MP Andrew Broad says Australia’s visa arrangement for skilled foreign workers needs a clean up, but is mindful of the need for workers to capitalise on opportunities in north-west Victoria.

The federal government announced on Tuesday it was abolishing 457 visas, replacing it with two new temporary visas with requirements around work history and English skills. 

“This will ensure Australian workers are given the absolute first priority for jobs, while businesses will be able to temporarily access the critical skills they need to grow if skilled Australian workers are not available,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said.

The current visa will be replaced with a temporary skill shortage visa, one two-year and one four-year. The four-year visa will be limited to those with higher skills. 

To read more of this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (April 21). 

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