Obviously if you are on a 457 then you have work, but I'm wondering how your partner fared when they looked for work?
I'm wondering if employers are reluctant to employ someone who is on a temporary visa?

We're not on a 457 now but when we were, I didn't have any problems. Mind you, I did get a job with the same employer as Himself

My wife got the first one she applied for

I had a few job offers when we arrived and was applying last September, and was in the fortunate position to be able not to have to accept the first one offered. The one i took started out as a 12 month contract, but was made permanent within 6months and I have also had promotions out of it. We are still on a 457 visa with hubbys job, though another 3 years before it runs out and we have started the process of PR.

I was applying for longer term temporary contracts as well as permanent positions and was more successful at the longer term temp contracts than the permanent positions. I also was just stating that I had full work rights (didnt say it was temp visa until later in the process and they wanted to check my work rights/or was at interview) and avoided government type jobs that i knew wouldn't have a hope in hells chance of getting due to being a temp visa.

No problems at all. My wife secured a really good job within about 6 weeks of arriving and is still employed by them almost 2 years later, and loving it.

Thanks for all the replies folks, that's good to know

Some people have had problems, others not. Note that if it's a skilled job, and the employer is concerned about temporary status, it's often open to the employer to sponsor the 457-spouse for permanent residence.