Employer - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bibber all about?
Bibber provides a life changing experience for enthusiastic personnel from many regions of the world. It not only provides a visa for legal work in Australia but also a comprehensive program of support and mentorship during the participants stay. It is not a source of cheap labour for employers, but rather a true cultural exchange where the staff and families can benefit as much as the participant. Bibber is associated with a global network of partners, all of whom seek excellence in the quality of the services they offer both the participants and the employers.
How does it work?
Step 1. |
Applications from suitable participants are submitted via Bibber's business partners. |
Step 2. |
If the applicant matches what you are looking for, we will send you their full information including CV, autobiography and reference letters or referee details. You are welcome to contact the referees and/or the applicant directly to make sure that they are right for you. |
Step 3. |
If you find someone you like, we prepare a placement agreement and it is signed by both you and the ‘Bibber’ |
Step 4. |
We send this placement agreement to Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) with a letter of invitation offering to sponsor the applicant for the time he is in Australia. We also send several visa forms, info about the applicant and some visa fees. The visa process usually takes less than 28 days. |
Step 5. |
If there is a Group of ‘Bibbers’ arriving at the same time, they may attend a three day ‘Welcome to Australia’ party/orientation seminar. Attendance is recommended and certainly helps the participant cope in the first few weeks. The seminar provides general information about living in Australia and also industry specific information We also apply for the tax file number and activate the bank account during this time. They also get the chance to make friends with other Bibbers and often this leads to long term relationships (we have had a couple of weddings!). Staff of employers are also welcome to attend the numerous dinners and meet with their staff and the other Bibbers. If the Bibber arrives alone then he is sent directly to you, however he receives a survival kit and follow up phone call. We also host a Bibber dinner each quarter for everyone to catch up. |
Step 6. |
Most Bibbers will travel directly to you following the seminar. We will coordinate their arrival with you. |
Step 7. |
The Bibbers work for the length of time specified on the Placement Agreement (or as agreed) before leaving you travel or return home. If both you and the Bibber are keen for them to stay, then we can help you the paperwork that can make this happen. It is best to start getting that paperwork underway around two to three months before their visa expires. |
Step 8. |
Both you and the Bibber are sent a feedback form, which enables you to evaluate the experience, the program and the services offered by Bibber. This helps us make it even better for you in the future! |
Step 9 |
The Bibber returns home (sometimes after a brief holiday) and you can forward all their mail to us for on forwarding to them via email, fax or post. After the 30 June each year, we coordinate the collection of payment summaries and arrange to lodge the tax returns through a partnership with a good accountant. We help with the super refunds as well with the help of the ANZ and ING. |
If I register do we have to take someone?
No, certainly not. Registration is completely obligation free. If you don’t like the look of anyone we have or you get your staff sorted by some other means, that is fine.
Who is eligible to come to Australia using this program?
A suitable participant:
- Has qualifications and/or some experience in a chosen field and a desire to have career in that field
- Has a good command of the English language
- Has references that can be verified
- Is committed to and enthusiastic about working in Australia in their chosen industry
- Is under 31 years of age *
* There are other options available to people over 30, however the visa process is different. Please contact us if you have a direct applicant who is over the age limit.
Why should I use Bibber instead of going directly to DIAC?
I guess that it depends on how much you like paperwork and stress! It is now very hard to sponsor young people to come to Australia, unless they come from a country that has rights to a Working Holiday Visa,-they do not require any sponsorship. Unfortunately many countries do not enjoy access to this visa. Even people on this visa are only eligible to work for you for six months maximum.
Sponsorship carries many responsibilities and most sponsorships are for two years or more. The burden of paperwork and bureaucracy for these visas is large. Bibber handles all the paperwork and responsibility for you, making the process risk free! If the applicant does not work out, Bibber offers a placement guarantee and so would find you a new employee. If you do like the employee, then there are options for a longer term contract. It is a timesaving, safe option to testing the water with overseas staff.
How much does it cost?
The sponsorship fee is $1200 (+GST) which allows the employee to work for you for up to a year. If we are sponsoring an employee found by you, then that is the only fee you need to pay (due when you sign the placement agreement. If we are placing an employee sourced by us then there is a fee of 5% of the annual salary of the employee. This includes a placement guarantee so that if you are not happy we will provide you with a replacement employee. For more information, please see our terms and conditions.
How much do we have to pay them?
One of the conditions of this program is that participants are paid on a casual or permanent basis according to the appropriate award. If you do not already have this information, visit the Federal and State Awards and Conditions of Employment website at www.fairwork.gov.au The participants shall be paid overtime according to the relevant award and, because they all will have some experience, should be paid at a level higher than the entry/training level. Please note that this program is not a source of cheap labour!
To ensure that your rate is according to the award, please call the following number for your State and business:
ACT 13 13 94
NT 13 13 94
NSW 13 13 28
QLD 1300 369 945
SA 1300 365 255
TAS 1300 366 322
VIC 13 13 94
WA 1800 624 263
Can I choose a specific nationality?
If someone at your organisation speaks a foreign language or has an interest in a particular country, then it is fine to specify a nationality. Please remember, however that it may limit your choice of available participants.
Do I need to provide transport?
There is no obligation to provide transport for the participants, though it has been known for employers to lend them a bicycle or an old car! Bibber has sourced a supplier of reliable (but not pretty!) second hand cars that can be made available to the participants, complete with appropriate insurance, 24 hr roadside assist and a buy back option.
Do I need to provide accommodation?
There is no obligation for an employer to provide accommodation. However if you are in a remote location, any assistance provided to the participant would be much appreciated. Some partner programs insist on the provision of accommodation for their participants, so if you can provide housing or board, you may have more participants to choose from.
You may also like to help them while they are seeking accommodation by providing a place to stay in the short term. Where there is a large concentration of participants, advertisements will be placed in newspapers to source people willing to participate in providing accommodation for people in their own home for a reasonable fee.
If I do provide accommodation, can I pay them less?
If your organisation provides accommodation, you can charge rent or board for this service. It is wise however, to keep the wages and the board separate and make sure that all the transactions are transparent, to prevent any misunderstanding.
What about tax?
Participants will usually pay tax as a resident and this results in a tax rate of approximately 6% -15%. Bibber has received information from the Tax Office which indicates that 416 Special Program visa holders who come through an exchange program and are working for one employer for the duration of their stay, are entitled to pay Tax as Australian residents, rather than paying the 30% (from the first $1) charged to working holiday makers. Bibber has also outsourced a registered tax agent and financial advisor to assist participants with lodging their tax return and also to help them obtain a refund for their superannuation contributions.
How long can I employ them for?
The visa can be issued for up to one year, and after that there may be a visa pathway that will allow them to stay longer and often permanently.
What else do I need to provide?
Your organisation must provide a safe working environment that complies with all relevant State and Federal Laws. This includes the provision of safety equipment and any training specific to your industry.
What about medical insurance?
If the participant is injured while at work, he or she is covered by Work Cover. If he or she is injured when away from work, he or she will be covered by a medical/travel insurance policy that is a compulsory element of the Bibber program.
What happens if we don’t get on?
If there is conflict between you and the participant, please contact us and we will make every effort to resolve the problem. This could mean phone calls to both parties, site visits and mediated meetings. If there is irreconcilable differences, then Bibber will facilitate a replacement employee.
If you have any further questions about the Bibber Wine community, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or email us on the details below.
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