ATO focus on LAFHA could impact on 457 visas

Post date: Jan 30, 2012 2:50:4 PM

For many travellers holding a migration visa, Australia offers a number of unique opportunities in both work and travel that may be unavailable to them back home.

As they gain employment and become a valuable part of their adopted society they are able to access some of the incentives put in place by official departments.

One good example of this is the delivery of funds from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) through an employer when a staff member is required to travel away from their usual residence on business for an extended amount of time.

Known as the Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) it is intended to provide staff members with the support they need to cover the expenses incurred as a result of being relocated for their work.

Individuals employed on contracts that require fly-in fly-out (FIFO) arrangements were able to receive the benefits, as were officials transferred to remote postings.

In some cases, temporary residents in Australia - such as those on the 457 visa - were technically considered to be living far from their permanent residence for work purposes and as such were eligible to receive the LAFHA.

However, the changes proposed by the ATO could see these payments come to an end as the taxation office seeks to better regulate these concession payments.

To read more, click Migration Alliance's article on "ATO focus on LAFHA could impact on 457 visas".

If you are interested in Australian visas, contact bernie@albanomigration.com for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. We offer free initial consultation.