Salaries and Wages

• Minimum salary level for ENS visas, as at 13 July 2010:
• $65,020 for the following occupations:
• 262111 Database Administrator
• 262113 Systems Administrator
• 261112 Systems Analyst
• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• 261111 ICT Business Analyst
• 263113 Network Analyst
• 261313 Software Engineer
• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 261312 Developer Programmer
• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 261311 Analyst Programmer
• 262112 ICT Security Specialist
• 261399 Software and Applications Programmers (not elsewhere classified)
• 261314 Software Tester.
• $47,480 for all other gazetted occupations.

The salary levels for 457 workers are different, as a TSMIT applies:

• The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold – (TSMIT), is currently set at $47 480 per annum, from 1 July 2010.
• The TSMIT is set at that level to ensure that all Subclass 457 visa holders have sufficient income to independently provide for themselves in Australia.
  The TSMIT helps to ensure that Subclass 457 visa holders do not impose undue costs on the Australian community or find themselves in circumstances which may put pressure on them to breach their visa conditions. This is particularly important given these workers do not have access to a range of government support available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

For RSMS visas, there is a requirement that conditions of employment and wages must comply with Australian legislation and awards.

The salary calculations for ENS and 457 and RSMS are for gross annual salary and must not include:

• accommodation or rental assistance, board, upkeep, meals or entertainment
• incentives, bonuses or commissions
• shares or bonus shares
• travel, holidays, health care/insurance
• vehicles or vehicle allowances
• communications packages
• Living-Away-from-Home-Allowance
• superannuation contributions (either voluntary employee or compulsory employer contributions)
• any other non-salary benefits not included in the above, with the exception of Medicare rebates.

Employers can offer any of these benefits to employees provided they are above and beyond the minimum salary.

Note: The minimum salary level is subject to change. Updated figures are published annually in a Gazette Notice. See: Gazette Notice

This site is not intended for use by either migrants or sponsors who are directly sponsoring a future employe. It is a condition of use of this site that all users acknowledge that they are not seeking migration advice for themselves as migrant or to act as sponsor of a future worker. For full legal entitlement and disclaimer please click here (c) Hire A Migrant Pty Ltd ACN 124 164 138 unless attributed.

The Australian Government is now in caretaker mode ahead of the national election scheduled for August 21. The timing is very unfortunate as a long series of major changes to immigration policy are still unfinished, leaving many thousands of people in a state of great uncertainty.

Although it is possible that State Governments may be able to submit their new lists of State Sponsored occupations for Ministerial approval, it is unclear whether the Minister still has the ability to authorise their implementation at least until a new Government is formed. Similarly, other unwelcome legislation for capping and ceasing certain visa categories is also unable to progress. Another choke point is that quotas for certain occupations may also be implemented at State and Federal levels soon after the election.

Or not! One major party view is that smaller employers should find it easier to become a sponsor, which would enable many more job applicants through. Applicants affected by change and uncertainty may still consider applying for 457 permits until their visa pathway for permanent residency is made clear. Even without the election, Immigration is in a bit of a mess and it will probably be October before it’s mostly cleared up.