Temporary skilled migration to Australia: the 457 visa sub-class

There has been a paradigmatic shift in patterns of global migration in recent years, towards short term movements. This paper explores one aspect of this shift in Australia — the increase in skilled temporary migration covered by visa category 457. The paper examines the numbers, skills, country of origins and age structures of these groups of migrants. It also examines the policy background and policy changes which have shaped the regulations covering the 457 visa category. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s