Australia has introduced a new visa process that will make it far easier for people to enter the country for the purpose of carrying out highly specialised work.
The new legislation is designed to make things easier for the thousands of business visitors and foreign workers who have previously had to navigate their way through several visa sub-classes before entering the country.
It has been launched alongside a new medical treatment visa, which will last up to 12 months and is designed to attract skilled talent from across the world.
Brendan O'Connor, minister for immigration and citizenship, said the government is aiming to reduce the number of visa sub-classes by 50 per cent over the next two years.
"The Gillard government is determined to cut red tape and make it easier for visitors to understand which visa they need for a short stay visit or work visa," he added. No changes are to be made to the current visa eligibility criteria for tourism, business visitor activities or sponsored family visits, the minister clarified.
Posted by Craig Francis
