The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has announced that Minimum Salary Levels (MSLs) for temporary skilled overseas workers coming to Australia will increase by 3.8 per cent from 1 August 2008.
Employers must pay at least the minimum salary level to primary subclass 457 visa holders in their employ. A higher salary must be paid where required under workplace law or where negotiated between the employer and visa holder.
The minimum salary level is a gross annual salary, based on a 38 hour week that cannot include bonuses, overtime, superannuation, LAFHA and other items.
The change will increase the current standard MSL from $41,850 to $43,440 per annum. For ICT professionals, the MSL will rise to $59,480 from $57,300.
In regional areas, the MSL will rise to $39,100 (from $37,665) and $53,530 (from $51,570) for ICT professionals.
This increase will apply to new temporary skilled migrants coming to work in Australia as well as those already in the workforce who are subject to an MSL.
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