Australian Government Crackdown on 457 Visas

Following the recent Australian Government tightening of the 457 rules to make that Australians are given preference rather than foreigners being at the front of the jobs queue, the Australia Immigration Minister, Brendan O’Connor, has responded to the criticism of the Government’s crackdown on these visas, providing examples of how the system has been rorted.

Examples were given of employers showing evidence of high paying jobs with preference job descriptions, but then the employee ended up having a normal job, with much lower pay, in practice. Over 100 businesses were found to be abusing the system and have now been barred from hiring workers on 457 visas.

During the 2011-2012 year 125,070 people entered Australia on 457 visas, 68,310 of these being the primary applicant.

457 Visa Application Statistics

  • 2011-12 71,840 Primary Applications lodged with 68,310 being approved.
  • 2010-11 53,850 Primary Applications lodged with 48,080 being approved.
  • 2009-10 38,910 Primary Applications lodged with 34,790 being approved.
  • 2008-09 54,830 Primary Applications lodged with 50,660 being approved.

Average nominated base salary for primary applications

  • 2011-12 $85,400 (Ranging from $77,200 in ACT to $ 99,500 in NT)
  • 2010-11 $86,800 (Ranging from $78,900 in NT to $100,700 in WA)
  • 2009-10 $86,400 (Ranging from $71,800 in NT to $ 99,100 in WA)

The top FOUR Countries: Total people approved for entry under the 457 scheme:

2011-12

  1. 23.0% United Kingdom
  2. 17.7% India
  3. 8.1% Ireland
  4. 7.3% Philippines

2010-12

  1. 24.6% United Kingdom
  2. 18.2% India
  3. 8.1% United States of America
  4. 8.1% Ireland

Number of Primary Visa holders in Australia as at 30th June:

  • 2012 91,050
  • 2011 72,030
  • 2010 68,400

Data Sources:

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