Australia Announces Measures to Improve Visa 457 Schemes

May 2009POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 09-09AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO IMPROVE VISA 457 SCHEMESThe Government of Australia has recently announced several measures aimed at improving the integrity of the country's temporary skilled migration program (Visa 457 Scheme) amid concerns on the possible exploitation of overseas workers and the undermining of local wages and conditions. These measures, which were developed prior to the slow down in the Australian economy due to the global financial crisis, include the following: • Starting 01 July 2009, the minimum salary level for all new and existing 457 holders will be indexed by 4.1% to ensure that the wages of overseas workers will keep pace with local wages.• Starting mid-September 2009, a market based minimum salary will be implemented for all new and existing 457 visa holders to ensure that overseas workers are not exploited and local wages and conditions are not undermined.• The existing minimum language requirement will be increased to 6.0 (in each of the four components of IELTS) for 457 visa applicants in trade occupations and chef positions.• Starting...