Peter Lovell, skilled migration adviser for Printing Industries says while companies understood that their business had to be viable and ongoing before they could apply for a Temporary Business Entry visa (457 visa) for periods of up to four years, they also needed to be aware of the training criteria.

He says, “This provision is vital to the success of a sponsorship application and employers are encouraged to document a training program that can be attached to their application when it is ready to be lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Such programs would have been undertaken by existing Australian citizen or permanent resident staff.”

Lovell continues that an alternative to the training documentation was to show that they have introduced new or improved technology or business skills to Australia.

He says, “This can include improved machinery, tools, or equipment. To be acceptable, the technology claimed must be unique and must be making entry to Australia for the first time,” he said.

For most printing companies, training documentation is the preferred option showing what staff training has been provided, usually during the previous two years or longer.

To assist prepare this documentation Lovell suggests the following guide:

• Evidence of employing a trainer, such as an employment contract of payment summaries

• Evidence of employing apprentices, including the number of apprentices; their trades; and the time periods for the apprenticeships

• If external training has been provided, show the type of courses; the numbers involved; and when the training occurred

• Any internal training that has been provided, which could include the type of training; the numbers involved; and when the training occurred.

He says, “There are also provisions to document proposed training for Australian staff in situations where the company has just commenced operations or where companies are unable to demonstrate a past record of training.”

Lovell concludes, “Any proposals for training should include firm commitments. Employers will appreciate that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship is obliged to monitor sponsors of the Temporary Business Entry (457) visa and sponsors would thus be expected to show that the training commitments have been implemented at the time of monitoring.”

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