The ATO’s data matching program was launched to improve tax compliance of visa holders and reduce immigration fraud. ATO will acquire the names, addresses and other details of visa holders, their sponsors and their migration agents for the 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 financial years from the Department.
Information will be collected from an estimated 1 million visa holders and include:
- Address history for visa applicants and sponsors
- Contact history for visa applicants and sponsors
- All visa grants
- Visa grant status by point in time
- Migration agents (visa application preparer who assisted or facilitated the processing of the visa)
- Address history for migration agents
- Contact history for migration agents
- All international travel movements undertaken by visa holders (arrivals and departures)
- Sponsor details (457 visa)
- Education providers (educational institution where the student visa holder intends to undertake their study)
- Visa subclass name.
What does this mean for 457 visa holders?
This means that the data submitted on your 457 visa application will be matched with the internal records of the ATO, for example how much your salary is and how much tax you pay. To avoid problems, check if the salary shown on your job contract (used in your visa application), is the same amount that you see in your payslip and it is taxed properly.
What does this mean for 457 sponsors?
This means that the data submitted on your 457 sponsorship application will be matched with the internal records of the ATO, for example how much salary you paid to your 457 nominated employees and how much tax you paid. To avoid problems, ensure that the data submitted on your 457 nomination application is consistent to the records you submit with the ATO.