nowthat

There was a piece of news some 2 years ago about a group of local sparkies being laid off because a group of 457 holders from Cambodia offered more viable option.

The trend seems to be up and coming, encroaching now into EPCM.

One well-established JV company that provides EPCM services to the biggest mining company in the world has already been employing a sizable group of "tourists' from one of the companies offices in the subcontinent.

Now the other (Australian-based) component firm decided to follow suit and import a group of dome 20 specialists from their south American office.
This trend may continue and expand.

Obviously, this all happens for a reason.

The issue is that the locals will have to go as their jobs will be taken over (at a fraction of cost).

Australian constitute the electorate while the 'tourists' obviously not, isn't it becoming a political issue?

How safe are the jobs in Australia for Australians?

Icecube

I think the trend is also happening due to the volume of work presently in the pipeline for a lot of these consultancies, the fickle nature of the industry with lots of people job hopping to get a few more $'s and a general shortage of qualified candidates to fill the required roles.

Amazulu

Under current legislation, 457 visa holders must be paid market rate.
EPCMs that do resource work come under close scrutiny - the same as the resource companies do.
Unions watch this like a hawk, any issues usually cause a shitstorm in the media.
457 compliance for companies is onerous and costly, they don't take them on and mess about. Non-compliance can cause them a world of hurt.
There will be some crap going on with 457s but it is not widespread.