The Australian Federal Government has announced the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will temporarily fast-track the processing of every decision ready 457 visa application, specifically for reconstruction work in flood-ravaged Queensland.

This move is intended to provide businesses involved in the reconstruction effort with quick access to skilled workers from overseas where local labor supply is insufficient. The flood recovery effort is expected to cost up to $20 billion, and it is expected that the demand for construction workers in the state will continue to increase steadily over the coming months.

“Skilled labor will be as important as funding for rebuilding,” Prime Minister Julia Gillard stated. “There will be extra resources, assistance to employers and simpler processes to ensure a five-day turnaround for decision-ready applications for workers in a host of nominated occupations to work on rebuilding Queensland.”

The government has established a special DIAC team to facilitate the prompt turnaround of subclass 457 visa applications, related to work in flood-affected areas. The subclass 457 visa provides a fast and flexible route for the entry of skilled migrants to temporarily reside and work in Australia. Under the program, Australian businesses can sponsor multiple skilled workers in a wide variety of occupations to Australia, for a period of up to four years.

Since the flood crisis, DIAC has been inundated with enquiries from potential employers asking for priority visa processing for migrants. Business groups have welcomed the extra resources offered by DIAC to ensure skills shortages and needs can be met by overseas skilled labor where necessary.
 
Minister Chris Bowen has stated that although the government’s first priority is to see Australian workers fill flood-reconstruction job vacancies, “…the demand for labor is on such a scale that we expect temporary overseas workers will need to contribute to the urgent reconstruction task.”

A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Mr Chris Bowen has said that fast-tracked 457 visa processing will be open to all businesses genuinely involved in the reconstruction of flood-affected areas. "DIAC is working with the Queensland government to ensure these special processing measures will only be available to employers genuinely involved in reconstruction."

The Department assures employers that 457 visa applications related to the flood-recovery effort will be given priority processing at each stage of the application process, and finalised within five working days if the application is complete and decision ready.