![Wayne Parcell (inset), a partner and global immigration leader at EY, says companies are keen to be able to have input ...](/content/dam/images/g/w/f/u/e/w/image.related.afrArticleLead.620x350.gwcwr7.png/1496126096002.png)
A lower age limit on a popular employee-sponsored migration pathway has emerged as a particular concern for professional services firms, with consultancies pointing out that many of their global experts are older than the new cutoff age of 45.
From next March there will be a maximum age limit of 45 for all types of applicants for the 186 employer-nominated migration scheme, down from 50 years old. The change was introduced as part of a suite of measures when the government scrapped 457 visa changes in favour of a new "Temporary Skill Shortage Visa".
"Many of the best global experts are over 45 and the new rules will also inhibit our ability to bring these professionals to our clients. This is also a dampener on the exchange of knowledge and ideas that Australians benefit from," said Andrew Clark, the local managing partner of The Boston Consulting Group.
The new Temporary Skill Shortage Visa scheme will see hundreds of job categories cut from the list of eligible occupations, and two-year, instead of four-year, terms for some occupations introduced. Professional service firms will be particularly hit by moving the key role of "management consultant" from the four-year stream, which has a migration pathway, to the two-year stream that removes any path to permanent residency.
"One of the ways we attract younger talent is through opportunities to participate in global mobility programs, which affords Australians the opportunity to work for a period overseas before returning home. These changes will limit our ability to not only bring in their counterparts from overseas to work here, but it will also reduce the opportunities for young Australians to participate in these programs as parts of the BCG global network are expected to contribute in both directions," Mr Clark said.
Two years too short
The new time and age limits are also a concern for big four accounting and advisory firm EY, said Wayne Parcell, a partner and global immigration leader at EY.
"We're not significantly impacted by the changes but we rely on being able to move people into and out of Australia. There are going to be some areas where we experience some difficulties meeting requirements, where we can't source the person locally," Mr Parcell said.
The lack of a permanent migration option for management consultants on the list is unappealing for overseas workers, especially those with families.
"If these people know they can only come for two years, with only the option for another two years and no migration method, there is a significantly high degree of uncertainty and they will say 'I'll go somewhere else'. Two years isn't enough time for someone to make a new career and life for themselves in a foreign country, and Australia is not at the centre of the world," said Mr Parcell.
About 5 per cent, or 300 of EY's 6400-odd employees, are on 457 visas.
Extra cost an issue
Another firm hit by the changes is information technology consultancy ThoughtWorks.
The firm's local managing director, Ryan Moffat, said the increased difficulty of bringing staff into Australia and the increased cost of the visas mean that clients will ask for work to be performed offshore.
"This is already an expensive place to build technology solutions. With regard to the Australian market, clients increasingly look to move roles offshore, because of the sheer cost of doing work in Australia, and this change makes it more costly, not less costly," he said.
On top of the new restrictions, the government has also proposed a foreign worker levy of $1800 a visa per year from March 2018. In addition, the cost of the four-year visa application fee has increased from $1060 to $2400. The two-year visa cost is $1150.
The firm, which generates about $100 million worth of work in Australia a year, has 300-odd local staff with between 50 and 75 on 457 visas in categories such as information and communication technology (ICT) project manager, ICT business analyst and developer programmer.
ICT project manager has been moved to the two-year list while the other two roles remain on the four-year list.
"A huge part of how we operate is cross-pollinating [between Australia and other countries]. The cost is so much extra, we would think twice. The willingness of people to come is probably OK," Mr Moffat said.
He added that the firm is preparing its own submission to the government about changes to the visa.
EY submission
EY is preparing a submission on behalf of about 40 clients hit by the government's axing of the 457 temporary skilled migration visa scheme.
The companies particularly want to know how they can have their say on government decisions about what occupations are on the revised list
"They're worried about the variability of what is and isn't on the list, what sort of ongoing consultation process there will be and how companies can have input into that process," Mr Parcell said. "They've also got specific concerns around the current list. For example, in the retail sector and hospitality, they're focused on senior executive roles such as CEOs and CFOs."
Mr Parcell said the submission would be sent to the government next Monday, on behalf of clients that range in size from local to international firms and from across industries including hospitality, consulting, finance, technology and manufacturing. Two clients that are part of this group include cafe and bistro company Bitton Group and east coast grain handler Graincorp.
The Turnbull government has requested input on any revisions to the list and asked businesses to agree on their "top picks" for occupations ahead of the first regular revision of the occupation list on July 1.