Demand for the 457 temporary skilled migration visa has eased over the past six months, according to statistics released by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

The DIAC’s latest monthly report for 457 visas found downward movement in temporary skilled migrants, a trend which has been developing since June lst year.

“Temporary work visa applications have been heading downwards since June 2012 and have now declined for the last three consecutive months,” a DIAC spokesman said today.

“Reinforcing this trend has been a drop in actual 457 visa grants since August.  This movement demonstrates the 457 visa program’s responsiveness to the changing needs of the Australian economy.”

From July to November 2012, the number of applications fell by 4 per cent, while the number of visas approved also fell, by 12 per cent, over the same period.

“While the subclass 457 visa stock figure is still high, new take-up of the program is declining, particularly in the construction and mining industries that have driven much of the recent growth in the program,” the department’s spokesman said.  “Use of the program has fallen across a number of industries that have traditionally been among some of the other big users of the program including health care and social assistance, information media and telecommunications.

The latest (November 2012) monthly 457 visa statistics can be found online at: http://www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/statistical-info/temp-entrants/subclass-457.htm