The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) have all defended the ChAFTA, in response to the AMWU’s campaign against the agreement
In a joint release, the trio accused the campaign of threatening to damage Australia’s relationship with China and inflicting long-term harm on Australia’s economic interests.
The release said the campaign is grossly misrepresenting parts of the ChAFTA and associated agreements.
“These provisions provide China with the same treatment afforded other free trade partners, with all arrangements subject to Australia’s existing temporary migration rules. The claim that the trade deal will provide unfettered access to cheap Chinese labour is completely wrong. The full facts regarding the change to the status of workers from China make clear it is no cause for concern,” the release said.
ChAFTA and labour migration
Some employers use 457 visas to bring to Australia workers from overseas to access skills that are not available in the local market.
Sponsors seeking to employ staff on 457 visas are obliged to commit to the employment of Australians. This obligation exists regardless of whether the occupation is subject to labour market testing, or is exempt. Employers with 457 visa employees are also required to train local workers or commit a percentage of their payroll to a training fund to train Australians.
These conditions are unaffected by Australia’s new arrangements with China.
At present China is one of 10 countries whose nationals working in certain occupations face additional requirements when they apply for 457 visas to work in Australia. Nationals from these countries must undertake a skills assessment when making a visa application. Nationals from every other country only need to undertake a skills assessment if insufficient evidence of their skills, experience and qualifications has been supplied in the visa application.
The latest change will remove China from the list of countries for 10 of the current 28 nominated occupations, meaning its nationals applying for 457 visas for those occupations will be subject to the same rules that apply for most applicants.