Social Media Ads Enough For Recruitment - Australia

21 Nov 2013

Employers in Australia can advertise only on their own company website or on Facebook as proof they have tried to hire Australian citizens to fill labor shortage before applying to hire overseas workers.

Under the guidelines for 457 Visa issued by the Australian Immigration Department, employers need not provide records of interviews with job applicants from Australia or copies of applications. According to a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document issued by the department, using social media, including Facebook to advertise an unemployed position is an acceptable form of testing the labor market.

In the guidelines released to the stakeholders and not to the public, even advertising on the employer's website is acceptable.

Also, there is no minimum time requirement for the labor market testing, with employers only needing to do it ‘at any time’ in the 12 months prior to lodging an application to bring on overseas workers.

Steve Knott, the chief executive of Australian Mines and Metals Association defended the Facebook requirement. He said that today's contemporary recruitment campaigns utilize various means to scour the local market which includes social media like Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook and industry jobs boards like miningoilandgasjobs.com, along with the traditional forms of advertising.

He added that many-a-times, these recruitment channels are cleverly integrated through highly streamlined, intelligent systems to reach the best talent market.

Michaelia Cash, Assistant Minister for DIBP said that the government is committed to ensure that the 457 Visa program will not be a substitute but act as a supplement to, Australian workers.

With this news of posting on Facebook or on the company website for Labor Market testing along with the removal of labor market testing for highly skilled occupations, overseas workers who wish to work in Australia temporarily on a 457 visa now have greater options.