Response to the proposed changes to Australia’s 457 visa

Statement from Executive Director, The George Institute Australia, Professor Vlado Perkovic.

"Australia is a world leader in medical research and scientific breakthroughs, which bring enormous benefit to Australian society.

The Government's recent announcement regarding changes to the 457 system raise concerns over whether medical research organisations like The George Institute can attract the kinds of top notch researchers that underpin our world class research. The George's medical research directly contributes to improved healthcare for Australians and people around the world and if we are limited in our research staffing options, the research and the follow on healthcare improvements could suffer.

In addition, as a uniquely global organisation headquartered in Sydney, The George's model over the last 18 years that has created hundreds of jobs in Australia for Australians, has been based on being able to compete and excel with targeted recruitment for certain specialties.

We appreciate the Government's intent to strike the right balance, and we look forward to supporting good public policy in this area."