Govt to announce 457 visa changes

The federal government is expected to confirm whether it will relax English-language rules for skilled migrants under a review of the 457 visa scheme.

The Coalition’s broader response to an independent report into the scheme, which made the recommendation last year, is due on Wednesday.

That review called for a relaxing of language requirements for migrants – which the government has previously hinted it would adopt.

It’s also warmed to making the scheme easier for companies with a proven track-record of compliance, either through sponsorship renewals or making it illegal for sponsors to get paid by applicants.