How We Helped Here Studio With 457 Visa Processing

Here Studio

Established in 2010, Here Studio are a boutique architecture practice with a cross disciplinary approach that values communities, space and consultation in their approach to residential, community, hospitality and workplace design. Here Studio use art, design, research and action to generate community and public space.

Here Studio are going through an exciting stage of growth with new commissions and competitive tender contracts. Because of this, during 2015 Here Studio conducted an extensive recruitment campaign for a variety of positions in their practice.

One applicant for an architect position was a UK Registered Architect with significant heritage architecture experience gained through working on projects with heritage considerations throughout the UK.

The breadth and depth of the applicant’s heritage experience was highly relevant for a number of Here Studio commissions and tendered contracts, and the Here Studio team were keen to retain the skills of the applicant beyond what was allowed by 417 Working Holiday visa conditions.

Here Studio contacted MyAusPath in January 2016 to explore the requirements for becoming a Standard Business Sponsor to enable them to nominate the position of Architect for a 457 visa holder within their practice.

Prior to engaging MyAusPath, Here Studio wanted to understand application requirements, as well as their future obligations as Standard Business Sponsors. They had not previously sponsored any employees for 457 visas, and wanted to understand what was involved before committing to the process.

Once they had an understanding of the application process, the Here Studio team discussed the value of the applicant’s specialised skills and experience for the work being undertaken by Here Studio. They also looked closely at Training Benchmark requirements to ensure that Here Studio would be able to meet Training Benchmark B through providing evidence to show expenditure on training to the equivalent of 1% of payroll.

Here Studio engaged MyAusPath to prepare and lodge applications on behalf of Here Studio and the visa applicant for all three stages of the 457 visa application process – Standard Business Sponsorship, Nomination and Visa Application.

MyAusPath were in regular contact with Here Studio Directors as well as admin and finance staff and the visa applicant throughout the application process.

Regular contact enabled everyone involved to remain confident that the application was on track to be lodged prior to the date that the visa the nominee held was due to expire. Once the visa application was lodged, the nominee was granted a Bridging Visa which remained active during the period before a decision was made on the 457 visa application.

MyAusPath notified the applicant of the grant of the visa as soon as it was received, and continue to keep in contact in the event that the business or visa holder have questions about their obligations.