サブクラス457ビザのスポンサーシップ資格を得るためにオーストラリアの事業者が満たさなければならない要件のひとつに Benefit to Australia があります。
-the creation or maintenance of employment for Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents -expansion of Australian trade in goods or services -the improvement of Australian business links with international markets -competitiveness within sectors of the Australian economy
Benefit to Australiaの要件を満たすためには、サブクラス457の発給が上記4項目のいずれかひとつにつながれば良く、これまではさほど難しい要件とは考えられていなかったのですが、発表されたガイドラインでは下記の様に現在の雇用状況悪化への配慮がうかがえます。
When the economy is buoyant with low unemployment, a vigorous assessment of the benefit to Australia requirement should be limited to applications where there are very clear inconsistencies. However, during periods where economic conditions are deteriorating and levels of unemployment rising, the need for the importation of overseas workers to fill positions in the trades and semi skilled areas diminishes.
特に2番目のexpansion of Australian trade in goods or servicesと4番目のcompetitiveness within sectors of the Australian economyについては以前なかった下記のような記述もあり懸念されるところです。
In times of growing unemployment, decision-makers would need to be satisfied that the skills and attributes required for this role could not be found locally.
Where the total remuneration package nominated by the sponsor is over AUD100 000, for occupations in ASCO 1 and ASCO 2, no further assessment will be necessary in relation to the nominated salary. For other applications, consideration should be given as to whether the nominated level of remuneration reflects the average remuneration for the occupation grouping.