Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 8 November 2011:

With reference to the Minister's announcement on 2 November 2011, regarding a new accreditation scheme for 457 visa applications:

(1) How many additional staff: (a) have been employed or will be employed to work in this area; and (b) will be required to manage this accreditation process.

(2) What is the process to determine if a company meets the criteria set out for accreditation?

(3) Who ultimately decides if a company receives accreditation?

(4) Is there an avenue of appeal if a company applies for, but is refused, accreditation?

(5) How does a company satisfy the requirements for accreditation?

(6) Can a company re-apply to receive accreditation once their application has been refused?

(7) How will the department monitor compliance with the accreditation scheme?

(8) What other visa classes have expedited processing in place (i.e. Enterprise Migration Agreements etc).

(9) What percentage of visa applications submitted to the department will now have the possibility of consideration under expedited processing.

(10) What will happen in regard to the length of time of any existing sponsorship arrangements in place under a 457 visa.

(11) Are visa holders required to lodge a new application; if so, when and what are the public policy reasons behind this decision.

(12) What gains and improvements does the department hope this expedited processing will make i.e. reduction of 457 visa processing times.