457 Visa - A Warning

[Blewyn]

It is your responsibility to research the visa and not just take the opinion of one source, in this case your employer. My husband and I are on our 3rd 457 due to redundancy on both sides, the last one was mine and we were 1 month from making a residency application which sucks!!! However we fully researched everything before we left the UK 3 years ago and knew the risks - it is temporary, its not guaranteed and we sought the advice of experts outside of the company that sponsored us for the 1st 457 - We came here with our eyes open, with all the facts but could not wait for the experience!!Yes we want to have PR but fully respect what the 457 Is for and are living proof that redundancy does not always mean you have to go back to the UK, however we left most of our lives in tact in the UK and rented out our house, stored our cars and possessions so that if we do loose our TEMPORARY visa we could go back to live our lives where we left off albeit looking for new jobs but we fully understood it is temporary, anything can happen and to enjoy it while it lasts! 3 years and 3 457's later we are still here - Australian companies will and do take on new 457's and their spouses but yes of course they should employ an Australian over a foreign temporary worker, if I was still in the UK that is what I would expect - UK jobs for UK citizens and the same for Australia - look after your own first.

 

You could research all you like - but is there anywhere it is made clear that being on a 457 is a black mark on a CV ? If research shows that you can work in Australia while on a spousal 457, wouldn't it be natural to assume that you can work on the same basis as everyone else, once in the country ? Just trying to get the message out there. Obviously some job markets are more buoyant than others for various reasons (in my case I'm just too specialised), so don't assume that just because it worked out for you it's as easy for everyone else.

[Tappers2oz]

You assume that the content of my post is all I'm focussed on. Not so. The point of the post is to warn others. It's true that I didn't fully research the 457 before coming here, but then I didn't expect to be in my current situation. My line of work isn't short-term jobs, it's a career and I never expected to be turfed out before I could achieve a PR, especially in a growing economy. Besides, as mentioned already my work is highly specialised, and doesn't exist on the SOL, so getting a different visa is tricky.

 

Just because it worked for you don't assume that if it doesn't work for others it must be their fault. As previously stated, the thing that people need to be aware of is that the 457 is presented as a short-term visa that you can take with you from employer to employer - with no suggestion that it in any way disadvantages the job applicant. The truth is that it does.

 

But that's the thing, most people making such a mammoth move research every possible little detail. We were going to, and if the opportunity arises, will still go on a 457 visa if it's the only one we can get. We know the risks as I had researched all the relevant visas long before applying for one.

I certainly would not have gone over without thoroughly researching properly first.

I'd say 99% of the people on a 457 visa know exactly what it is, a simple google search will tell that.

I think what the problem was, was your assumptions it was a 'safe' visa. It's not, it may have been sold that way to you but like I say a little google wouldn't go a miss.

I don't think the 457 'disadvantages' people if you know what you're getting into.

457 isn't all bad, he'll I suppose no visa is bad if you go into it with open eyes.

Go blinkered and problems will most likely happen.

I'm sure you're annoyed and looking for someone to blame (the company, the visa) but truth is when something this important come up you research until there is literally nothing left. Especially if kids are involved.

[Blewyn]

I'd hate to think of someone giving up a good opportunity or making wild demands based on what they've read here.

 

I'd hate to think of somebody giving up an established, secure and rewarding career to come here on a 457 instead of bargaining for PR. It's only right that they should be fully informed, wouldn't you say ?

[Tappers2oz]

You could research all you like - but is there anywhere it is made clear that being on a 457 is a black mark on a CV ? If research shows that you can work in Australia while on a spousal 457, wouldn't it be natural to assume that you can work on the same basis as everyone else, once in the country ? Just trying to get the message out there. Obviously some job markets are more buoyant than others for various reasons (in my case I'm just too specialised), so don't assume that just because it worked out for you it's as easy for everyone else.

 

Talking about the bit in bold, no, because it's not. It may appear that way to you but you are one person. I kow a LOT of people who've gone over on a 457, some had a hard time, a lot didn't and now have PR/citizenship and are 'living the dream'.

I know that if hubby gets the 457 I can't work in certain company's. Again a small google search told me that in my early days or research.

[Blewyn]

I'm sure you're annoyed and looking for someone to blame (the company, the visa) but truth is when something this important come up you research until there is literally nothing left. Especially if kids are involved.

 

I don't need anyone to blame - I have been treated grossly unfairly and I know exactly who by, but that's beside the point. The point is I ended up out of work, and this damn 457 visa is stopping me from getting new work. I'd be in work now if I was here on a permanent visa. That's why I want to warn people about the 457.

The 457 was the only visa available to me at the time.

[Blewyn]

Tappers2Oz I'm sorry but you are deluding yourself. The 457 visa is a black mark, and puts all your Australian / PR competitors ahead of you (all other factors being equal). People deserve to know this, so they can judge for themselves the likelihood of their job remaining viable for the 2-3years required to obtain PR, and balance that against whatever they may be leaving behind in their home country.

[DeeTowers]

You could research all you like - but is there anywhere it is made clear that being on a 457 is a black mark on a CV ? If research shows that you can work in Australia while on a spousal 457, wouldn't it be natural to assume that you can work on the same basis as everyone else, once in the country ? Just trying to get the message out there. Obviously some job markets are more buoyant than others for various reasons (in my case I'm just too specialised), so don't assume that just because it worked out for you it's as easy for everyone else.

 

Its not a black mark on your CV, companies have the right to employ or not employ a 457 holders/spouses. Both my husband and I have been a spouse on each others 457 and both of us got full time permanent employment being a spouse on the other ones 457, redundancy happens to anyone. I am now a spouse holder again on his 2nd 457 and am in a full time permanent role (not contract) and am treated like any other employee. My company have offered me a 457 too so we can both be on them separate to each other so we have fall back if the other were to face the redundancy fate again. As for our roles, they are not run of the mill and too are very niche but are only on the CSOL list so 457 was our only option.

 

Also as for research, you are moving to the other side of the world! As stated by everyone in this thread you do as much as you can e.g professional migrant agents, friends/relatives if applicable, emigration shows, call companies and recruitment agencies in Oz before you make your mind up to see what the market is like for your spouse, get networking before you go. Research your own job, is there a market for it here or is it so niche that it is limited to one or two organisations including the one you came out with.

 

To take the advice of one source before you make a massive leap like moving to the other side of the globe is ludicrous! You should have weighed up the pros and cons of leaving your job in the UK and made sure you were coming with ALL the facts not just those of your new employer who seems to have got you out here, used you for what they needed and now you are surplus to requirements.

 

The 457 is a great Visa but is a risky one too so coming from someone who has the t-shirt and is still wearing it after 2 redundancies I would tell anyone to go for it but only after some hard grafting research to see if it is right for them!

[Adam Grey]

I'd hate to think of somebody giving up an established, secure and rewarding career to come here on a 457 instead of bargaining for PR. It's only right that they should be fully informed, wouldn't you say ?

 

Well look beyond just your own experience, understand the system, look at it from all sides and be in a position to inform them fully then.

 

I hope you manage to resolve your situation and I hope people make their own informed judgements. I'm out.

[Tappers2oz]

Tappers2Oz I'm sorry but you are deluding yourself. The 457 visa is a black mark, and puts all your Australian / PR competitors ahead of you (all other factors being equal). People deserve to know this, so they can judge for themselves the likelihood of their job remaining viable for the 2-3years required to obtain PR, and balance that against whatever they may be leaving behind in their home country.

 

No Blewyn, not deluded. Researched to death and know the ins and outs of a 457 visa. Plenty of people have gone on a 457 visa, for one reason or another needed a new sponsor, and managed to find one (some didn't, that's life). You're personal experience is you're struggling to find someone willing to take you on. Perhaps it's your 'skills' rather then the visa that's the issue (you said technically your job isn't on the sol list).

Search this forum, there's plenty of good and bad experiences about the 457 visa. Your thread is nothing new.

In the voice of Duncan Banatyne, "I'm out".

[Blewyn]

As already stated, I have already been told by a prospective employer that they would like to hire me but could not because of the 457.

[cluster13]

This thread is going round in circles and I think I know why.

The 457 has its place and can be a great starting point for many who want to visit and work for a few years or as a risky alternative way to head towards pr. (we did it this way but that's another story) . Circumstances / rules have changed in the last couple of years when I came over if employment stopped you had 30 days to get another employer or more realistically leave the country. End of employment is end of work visa.

Blewyn. Your looking at this from an in oz 457 applicant and I believe this is where the difference lies.

Most employers want to go through a standard employment regime. Want to offer a 3 month trial. And may be reluctant to offer this if they feel under obligation or at risk to get involved with significant family circumstances involving sponsorship many average employers will put this in the 'too difficult' pile

This is very different to an oz employer looking to take on an out of country employee because they have exhausted the oz pool ( which is probably how your offer came? )

 

I can imagine how 3 months can give hope that seems dashed but your not in the same starting point as applying from out of country where they have a long time to consider an offer.

Are you job hunting in the right place? I. E. On UK job boards looking for immigrant workers?

 

A 457 is not a black mark on you cv but an employer suddenly faced with having to deal with visa processing they are not familiar with. And didn't anticipate could be a challenge. But they are not the same thing!

 

Look. The job fell through. And there is a small space at last chance saloon to get a new sponsor for it.

**** happens. Don't take it personally just fall back and regroup.

 

You are fighting everyone's opinion here I believe because everyone else would have just presumed go home as per the visa conditions and try again

 

If I'm off the mark here then I don't know where else this thread can go.

[Joebloggs]

No Blewyn, not deluded. Researched to death and know the ins and outs of a 457 visa. Plenty of people have gone on a 457 visa, for one reason or another needed a new sponsor, and managed to find one (some didn't, that's life). You're personal experience is you're struggling to find someone willing to take you on. Perhaps it's your 'skills' rather then the visa that's the issue (you said technically your job isn't on the sol list).

Search this forum, there's plenty of good and bad experiences about the 457 visa. Your thread is nothing new.

In the voice of Duncan Banatyne, "I'm out".

 

To be fair on Blewyn there are companies out there who won't entertain 457 applicants, my own employer used to sponsor 457 and I used to work with at least 2 457 (who turned out to be rubbish btw) but they changed their policy last July and strictly PR, Citizens and NZers.

[TerryDXB]

As already stated, I have already been told by a prospective employer that they would like to hire me but could not because of the 457.

 

Why could the employer not take you on? You can transfer a 457 sponsorship to another company - the only real risk to your new employer is that they assume the responsibility for a one way economy class ticket either at the end of the 457 or if you decide to go home early - the cost of that is peanuts. If the concern was that you only have a short time left on your 457, could you not extend it for another 4 years and use that extension time to gain PR?

 

Or is it just that your skill set does not qualify you for PR?

[Tickled Pink]

As already stated, I have already been told by a prospective employer that they would like to hire me but could not because of the 457.

 

Why could the employer not take you on? You can transfer a 457 sponsorship to another company - the only real risk to your new employer is that they assume the responsibility for a one way economy class ticket either at the end of the 457 or if you decide to go home early - the cost of that is peanuts. If the concern was that you only have a short time left on your 457, could you not extend it for another 4 years and use that extension time to gain PR?

 

Or is it just that your skill set does not qualify you for PR?

 

Not every employer meets the eligability criteria to provide sponsorship...

[nic1171]

If an occupation is soooooo specialised it aint on SOL or CSOL then Aus don't really want it or need it at least not at mo so basically youve managed x amount of time in Aus on a quickie visa, well i spent 2 year researching planning sweating blood n guts jumping through olympic style hoops going on the longest most emotional rollercoaster journey of my life changing direction on more than one occassion, spending obscene amounts of money to get here and if it goes t@ts up i will pay my way back, at least under a 457 your employer pays return ticket if im not mistaken? Well, my fave expression at mo is 'Suck it up sweetheart' you chose that path

[starlight7]

I guess you put your situation down to experience. If you really want to stay here why don't you get/work on the skills required? At least you have now some experience of the country and know what kind of thing the employers want. If a 457 visa was a way in for permanent residency just about everyone would follow that path I guess- so they might as well not bother with the normal entry routes.

[Alaska]

I am very surprised by the people I have met, since moving here, who have no idea of what a 457 is and that it isn't an automatic gateway to PR. I think here, on the forums, people are much better educated about the risks. I guess warnings are fruitless for some as they won't be seen by the people who don't do the research

 

I am the spouse of a 457 holder and haven't found work an issue. They just wanted to know that I had rights to work and took a copy of the visa. Must depend on your field.

 

For some people taking the PR route isn't an option, and this was the case for us, so we felt it was a risk worth taking. Our PR application (ENS transition stream) is with immigration now so really hoping the risk will soon pay off!

[MovingtoTasmania]

I'm not sure how the OP is jumping to the conclusion that a 457 visa is a black mark on a CV. I have yet to hear of an employer saying "I'm going to disregard that work experience as it was a job you had whilst on a 457 visa". Seems to me that the OP is finding it a black mark on his employability, not on his CV, but I suspect too that his "specific skills set" which is not on any of the lists has more to do with this than his 457 visa.

 

If an employer doesn't meet the criteria for employing someone on a 457, how is this the fault of the visa? If the OP's skills are so specific that he now can't find a job, how is that the fault of the visa?

 

It also occurs to me that someone who has "specific skills set" isn't someone who is an intellectual dullard and it further occurs to me that anyone with a modicum of intelligence and commonsense would actually do some research beforehand, not rant on a forum after the fact. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Did it not occur to the OP that someone with "specific skills set" might find it hard to access further employment if/when it all went t1ts up, rather then just jumping in to it on a wing and prayer? Surely a better way of doing things would have to been to check out the job market before coming over to ensure that there were vacancies in this highly specialised field and therefore OP would have had a fall back plan. Also, how does one get PR if one's skills aren't required?

 

Another thought that has just occurred to me is that here in the UK, there is a contingent of people who believe that "foreigners" (usually people from the EU!) come over to the UK and "steal" jobs from UK citizens and yet, OP is railing about the fact that citizens and PR holders, people who have made a commitment to Australia, "jump" the queue in terms of jobs. Surely the job goes to the most qualified candidate when all factors are taken in to consideration?

[Rachel Tilley]

The OP has posted his comment as a warning to others of what they've experienced. Hopefully, this will now make others looking at moving over to Oz on a 457 more aware of what they could be getting in to and get them thinking about asking a few more questions and have a few more assurances before they make that choice. If this is the case then the OP will have achieved their objective to hopefully prevent this happening to someone else.

 

I moved on a 457 with my other half. As the partner of a 457 holder I was able to work, get a tax number, get some Medicare entitlements. I knew I couldn't claim anything from Centrelink and that we had to be self sufficient. I knew the visa was TEMPORARY and I knew that I was dependent on being in a relationship with my partner to keep it. What I didn't know, or find anywhere documented in the research that I did was that if me and my partner split up (which we did) then I couldn't return home with my son. I was not legally allowed to remain in Australia but could not legally take my son home with me. This problem provoked a huge legal mess that took over two years to clear up and cost thousands of pounds (doubled in dollars!)

 

So all couples who are out there on 457's you also need to be aware of this too. Temporary visas are not recognised by the family court as being temporary. Your children will still be classed as habitually resident in Australia and will not be allowed to leave unless both parents consent. If the partner on a 457 cannot obtain a visa in their own right then you face being deported without your child/children, unless you have the thousands of dollars required to apply to the family court to relocate.

 

That's something I learnt the hard way and I'm willing to share that as a 'warning' so that other people are aware of this potential problem it could cause them. I'm no longer bitter, I don't blame anyone else, I researched my move, I did what I could, did all that I thought I could, (this forum wasn't available and there was nothing else like it when I moved), and I will continue to try and warn other parents, just like the OP has done, so that people are aware of things the Migration Agents and DIAC don't tell you. To be trapped in a country you have no legal right to remain in and face the possibility or losing your child/children is not something I'd wish someone else to have to go through.

 

I applaud the OP for sharing his warning.

[AJ]

The OP has posted his comment as a warning to others of what they've experienced. Hopefully, this will now make others looking at moving over to Oz on a 457 more aware of what they could be getting in to and get them thinking about asking a few more questions and have a few more assurances before they make that choice. If this is the case then the OP will have achieved their objective to hopefully prevent this happening to someone else.

 

I moved on a 457 with my other half. As the partner of a 457 holder I was able to work, get a tax number, get some Medicare entitlements. I knew I couldn't claim anything from Centrelink and that we had to be self sufficient. I knew the visa was TEMPORARY and I knew that I was dependent on being in a relationship with my partner to keep it. What I didn't know, or find anywhere documented in the research that I did was that if me and my partner split up (which we did) then I couldn't return home with my son. I was not legally allowed to remain in Australia but could not legally take my son home with me. This problem provoked a huge legal mess that took over two years to clear up and cost thousands of pounds (doubled in dollars!)

 

So all couples who are out there on 457's you also need to be aware of this too. Temporary visas are not recognised by the family court as being temporary. Your children will still be classed as habitually resident in Australia and will not be allowed to leave unless both parents consent. If the partner on a 457 cannot obtain a visa in their own right then you face being deported without your child/children, unless you have the thousands of dollars required to apply to the family court to relocate.

 

That's something I learnt the hard way and I'm willing to share that as a 'warning' so that other people are aware of this potential problem it could cause them. I'm no longer bitter, I don't blame anyone else, I researched my move, I did what I could, did all that I thought I could, (this forum wasn't available and there was nothing else like it when I moved), and I will continue to try and warn other parents, just like the OP has done, so that people are aware of things the Migration Agents and DIAC don't tell you. To be trapped in a country you have no legal right to remain in and face the possibility or losing your child/children is not something I'd wish someone else to have to go through.

 

I applaud the OP for sharing his warning.

But this is not just with 457 visas

[Rachel Tilley]

I know it's not, it's with all visas, but it's shocking that it includes temporary visas too. How many people know about this full stop, and how many people would think it would apply to a temporary move?

 

DIAC accept moves are temporary, Family Courts don't. Conflict of interests there = great difficulties for families in these situations. There's no way out without considerable legal expense. That's why I hate seeing the comments "give it a go, what have you got to lose". The truth is - a great deal actually!

[fairystar32]

As others say the 457 is a temporray visa. We used it as it was our only way in and we took the gamble, luckily it paid of as we are now citizens and the cmpany had already agreed to sponser us for PR but needed him very quickly. It could easily have not though, employers dont always sponser, may change minds, jobs make go or illness preventing PR may occur during that time frame.

Its a huge risk,..

Sorry it didnt pay for you

[Blewyn]

I'm not on the plane yet !!! Just wanted to alert potential migrants to the risk - I feel there's a little too much economy with the actualite when it comes to just how easily you can find yourself in the departure lounge..

[Blewyn]

I'm not sure how the OP is jumping to the conclusion that a 457 visa is a black mark on a CV. I have yet to hear of an employer saying "I'm going to disregard that work experience as it was a job you had whilst on a 457 visa". Seems to me that the OP is finding it a black mark on his employability, not on his CV, but I suspect too that his "specific skills set" which is not on any of the lists has more to do with this than his 457 visa.

 

OMG seriously have you read the thread ? There's an Aussie employer who specifically states they would be reluctant to hire a 457. Employability vs CV fair point I hear they're hiring down the hair-splitting factory get in quick ! As I stated already I have been told quite specifically that there is a job available for me but I cannot be hired due to the 457. I won't go into the specifics. Notwithstanding that issue, as a general rule Aussies and PRs get first dabs at a job, then 457s are considered only of locals are not available (all other things being equal). If you're in a specialised field like mine, you can easily find yourself out in the cold at a time when no other slots happen to be available, competing with locals who have an automatic advantage (as indeed they should, in all fairness).

 

I have no idea why some of the posters here seem to feel an emotional need to point the finger and witter on about how it worked for them....

[Blewyn]

Another thought that has just occurred to me is that here in the UK, there is a contingent of people who believe that "foreigners" (usually people from the EU!) come over to the UK and "steal" jobs from UK citizens and yet, OP is railing about the fact that citizens and PR holders, people who have made a commitment to Australia, "jump" the queue in terms of jobs. Surely the job goes to the most qualified candidate when all factors are taken in to consideration?

Indeed, and this is as it should be, and it is also the warning I wish to make to migrants considering the 457. As you state above, 457s are automatically behind PRs and Aussies - so tread carefully.