The Health and IT sectors received a large influx of overseas workers migrating to Australia to fill positions. Data released yesterday on the 457 temporary working visa shows that more than 58,000 457 visas were granted to people in 2007-08. This is an increase of 24% from 2006-07.
Average base salaries paid to overseas workers, who arrived last year, increased 2% from last year to $73,100. This is well above the Australian average of $55,000.
Employers are required to pay s457 workers more than a legislated minimum of around $43,000 – set to increase to 3.8% in August – but the data suggests very few workers rely on the minimum.
The highest paid foreign workers are in the mining sector, with an average wage of $125,000, while those in hospitality are the lowest paid on $49,000 per year.
Computing professionals, registered nurses, and business and information professionals were the top three occupations for temporary overseas workers. Despite the intense demand for workers in the resources sector, staff such as welders, civil engineers and motor mechanics ranked further down the list.
Just over 8% of s457 visa holders hired in 2007-08 were employed in occupations classified as professional and highly skilled.
Britain was the single biggest source of temporary overseas staff for Australian employers, making up 22% of the total, followed by India on 14%, the Philippines on 9%, South Africa 6%, China 6% and the USA on 6%.
Employers of s457 workers are likely to face significant new reporting obligations and big penalties for breaching immigration rules and legislation to be introduced by Evans in September.
Source: Mike Preston; Smart Company. 23 July 2008
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