The Australian Government has recently closed the subclass 422 - Medical Practitioner (Temporary) visa, meaning that this subclass will no longer be available to primary visa applicants from 1st July 2010. In its place, the Australian Government has created a flexible working arrangement for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) under the subclass 457 -Business (Long Stay) visa.

Note however that all International Medical Graduates currently holding a 422 Australian visa will be permitted to remain in Australia under that visa until either the end of their visa validity, the employer under which they are sponsored changes, or they are granted a new visa subclass. 

From July 1st 2010, holders of a primary subclass 422 visa will still be permitted to add dependent eligible family members to their visa application so that they may join them while they are working in Australia. All procedures for secondary applications remain the same and if granted, these secondary visas will still retain the same expiry date as the primary visa holder.

New Conditions for IMG’s under the subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa:

IMG’s making a new visa application to work in Australia after 1st July 2010 will need to apply under the subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa and will therefore be required to obtain sponsorship from an approved standard business employer. Note that sponsorship and nomination of the work position must be obtained by the prospective IMG applicant before lodging their subclass 457 visa application. 

Under the subclass 457 visa, IMGs will now have access to e-lodgement and streamlined processing and will be able to work with more flexibility, including the option of working as an independent contractor or for several employers while under the one sponsor.