OzTennis

I post this in case it is on any interest:

http://www.theage.com.au/comment/how...619-2oj69.html

NATIONAL-VELVET

Excuse me if I sound ignorant, but I don't understand why any employer would willingly go to the expense (visa fees, relocation costs, flights, etc.), hassle and bureaucratic nightmare of getting someone from 10'000 miles away (for example), having to wait 3 months for them to get here, not knowing if they'll get homesick and leave within another 3 months, when they could employ an Australian to start work tomorrow? (assuming there are - as the article implies - Aussies able to do the job).

Also, if I were an employer and needed to fill a position pretty sharpish, why would I then consider spending 6 months to a year (plus the added expense) training an previously-unemployed person?

I just wonder whom this article is targeting - I mean, who are the 'dodgy employers' to whom it refers?

I'm also curious as to what sorts of professions will be classified as 'highly skilled', if anyone knows...?

N-V

Pollyana

Many employers don't pay any relocation expenses, or flights, or anything aoart from the sponsorship fee. They get employees in, many from the "third world" -sometimes allegedly find ways around paying them market rates. Theu kmow the employees won't complain, they earn far more here than back home, and if they leave the job they have to leave the country.
There's been several articles in major news outlets lately about clampdowns on firms that aren't playing by the rules, so it certainly does happen

NATIONAL-VELVET

Thanks for clarifying that, Pollyana. I didn't realise some companies would risk flouting the law like that, but I guess the lack of regulation doesn't provide much incentive to play 'by the book'...

I feel lucky that my spouse's line of work is genuinely in demand and won't put us in such a position. Let's hope they clamp down on the other companies :-)

N-V

Mummy3

I am sure this all takes place but for those of us on genuine 457 with large corporate companies who has genuinely tried to source local employment possibilities it makes you want to shout don't tar everyone with the same brush!

Pollyana

I hear you! As ever, its the minority who ruin it for the majority. I've known lots of people on 457s in genuine positions, but I also see more and more reports of companies not sticking to the rule book.

Alan Collett

There's plenty of regulation, N-V.

It's just not (in my humble view) policed adequately by DIAC compliance.

Best regards.

BadgeIsBack

Many of these jobs, sort of low skill, can be done by the visa holders. Simple as.
There is a demand of sorts. It's easy for some.

paddyo

Look at the industries that flout the compliances, look at the demographics of the Visa holders and look at the salaries compared to what they earn in home country......THEN you will understand. This is not aimed at corporate industry and higher salaried employees of good calibre, this is aimed at food service sweatshops!!
To N-V.....in response to your 'why on earth....' question, its simply because there are not enough Australians with the right skills for some of the higher end jobs, if you want to bring someone in who has the right skills, the right global experience and the right credentials then, just like you would anywhere else in the world, you ensure you pay for them and make their transition easy. You source the right people and you get the right rewards.

NATIONAL-VELVET

Yes that's what I'd heard. They know they can't check up on every company. It's a bit like dog-fouling - heavy fines if you do it, but hard to get caught!

NATIONAL-VELVET

Hi Paddyo, yes it was kind of a rhetorical question - if employers are going through the hassle / paying the money to get someone over then that should be a good indication that there aren't any Aussies able to do the job.

I've been a bit apprehensive about all I've heard on the (Aussie) radio or read in the papers /online, etc. because when / if we come over I don't want my OH to be regarded as someone who is taking Aussie jobs (a bit like the Eastern Europeans are regarded in the UK - rightly or wrongly), but it's reassuring to hear it's not the highly-skilled professions they're talking about ( I can stop having nightmares about being egged in the street, lol! )

N-V

paddyo

Well.....like the UK a lot of the jobs that are being 'taken' by immigrants are simply the jobs that Australians are too lazy to do or feel is beneath them. Also some of this is just political rhetoric trying to find any chink in government policies.....and a lot of own goals are being scored, especially by the Prime Minister who has decried 457 Visas.....whilst employing a 457 Visa holder as her Communications Secretary!! Looney!!

asher

There is a big billboard on the way in to Melbourne from the airport saying no more 457s they should increase tafe apprenticeships and train our own so it is aimed at skilled workers

IvanM

Abc 730 had a report on TCS abususing the scheme. It's friggin obvious on site.

RedDragon2008

I have a big sign in my office

Overseas Experience Preferred