The New Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy
Written By Thanushki Kankanange
Mon, Aug 27, 2018
On 12 August 2018, the Department of Home Affairs implemented the new SAF levy. This levy will contribute to the Skilling Australians Fund operated by the Department of Education and Training, with the aim to grow apprenticeships and trainee programs to support Australian jobs and growth.
The levy applies to nominations under the following visa subclasses:
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187 visa
In practice, each nomination attracts a Nomination Training Contribution (NTC) charge, payable at the time the nomination is lodged.
Nomination Training Contribution Charges for Each Nomination
For a business with an Annual Turnover of less than $10 million:
|
Visa and Occupation type |
Visa period |
NTC charge |
|
TSS, occupation on the Short Term Skilled occupation List (STSOL) |
2 years |
$2,400 |
|
TSS, occupation on the Medium to Long term list (MLTSSL) |
4 years |
$4,800 |
|
ENS/RSMS, occupation on the Medium and Long term Strategic Skills list (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL) |
Permanent |
$3,000 |
For a business with an Annual Turnover of more than $10 million:
|
Visa and Occupation type |
Visa period |
NTC charge |
|
TSS, occupation on the Short Term Skilled occupation List (STSOL) |
2 years |
$3,600 |
|
TSS, occupation on the Medium to Long term list (MLTSSL) |
4 years |
$7,200 |
|
ENS/RSMS, occupation on the Medium and Long term Strategic Skills list (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL) |
Permanent |
$5,000 |
Credit Card Surcharges apply to these fees:
- American Express — 1.40%
- Diners Club International — 1.99%
- JCB — 1.40%
- Mastercard* — 1.32%
- PayPal — 1.00%
- Union Pay — 1.90%
- Visa* — 1.32%
* The surcharge will also apply to Debit Visa cards and Debit Mastercards when making payments.
Refund Provisions for the SAF levy
Refunds of the Nomination Training Contribution (NTC) charge may be available in the following circumstances:
|
Reason for Refund |
The NTC may be refunded where.. |
|
Incorrect SAF levy payment |
the Nomination is withdrawn due to NTC charge being calculated incorrectly from nomination information |
|
Sponsorship application withdrawn |
the nomination is withdrawn because the associated Sponsorship application has been withdrawn or refused |
|
Nomination not entered into Labour Agreement |
the nomination is withdrawn because the requested Labour agreement is not entered into |
|
Visa application being refused on certain grounds |
The related visa application is refused under s501, 501A or s501B of the Migration Act or because the visa application was refused on grounds of public interest criterion 4001, 4002, 4003, 4007 or 4020 (health and character grounds) |
|
Failure to commence employment |
The nomination and visa is granted, but the visa holder fails to commence employment in the nominated position |
In order to access these provisions, a written request must be submitted by the person who paid the NTC charge. Fees may also be refunded where the Department of Home Affairs considers it is reasonable without requiring a written request.
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