isThe company I work for employs a lot of 457 visa holders, mainly Filipinos. The company turned over more than $120 million last year. They actually run a program dedicated to their recruitment, training and upkeep.

I also have a long time friend who is self-employed and finds it difficult to find skilled workers due to the location of his business and the specific skill sets required. I suggested the possibility of a 457 worker, even though their skill levels within the trade are not up to Australian standards.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, research by a family member of his, another friend of mine, had the researcher ring me to tell me that a 457 holder is entitled to 58k a year.

I called bullshit because I know the conditions my company places on its 457 employees, particularly within the branch where I'm employed, and have real trouble envisioning the company paying that sort of money to under-skilled tradesmen.

Said researcher said it's all in black and white on Government websites.

I still called bullshit but I don't have the time nor inclination to try to prove him wrong.

Clearly there exists quite distinct differences to what is written and what actually transpires. Perhaps someone has the inclination to do the research. That might enlighten everybody here before they comment about something they know little about.

However, these days the exploitation industry has spread its tentacles into almost any crook and nanny, so nothing really surprises me anymore. The only thing I DO know is that the exploitation of 457's and those on student visas is rampant and returns big dollars to those who abuse the system

You think these guys are alone?

Read the news on 7Eleven stores recently?

And let's not forget that many of the positions these exploited workers are filling are the direct result of the collapse of apprentice training and the loss of factory positions. That has been the fault of successive Governments.

I have no problem believing that the problem is more widespread than reported.

Swagman wrote on Mar 27^th, 2016 at 12:47pm:


funny how you never apply that logic to unions 

Lionel Edriess wrote on Mar 27^th, 2016 at 12:52pm:



I think where the 457 workers get scammed is in additional charges the employer charges the worker for training, accommodation and lodging etc ... unscrupulous employers charge so much that the worker ends up working for peanuts

Cliff48 wrote on Mar 27^th, 2016 at 1:03pm:


So that makes Leftwinger's 'OK'?

Cliff48 wrote on Mar 27^th, 2016 at 1:13pm:

John Smith wrote on Mar 27^th, 2016 at 12:58pm:


Yep.  It's tunnel vision - lib style.

Swagman wrote on Mar 27^th, 2016 at 1:31pm:


equally, I have realise that thinking is beyond your capability

Swagman wrote on Mar 27^th, 2016 at 1:46pm:



lucky for you then.