Foreign workers will have to be paid "market rates" under a further tightening of the scheme that allows employers to bring in temporary skilled labour.

The change will mean those on 457 visas will be on the same wages and conditions as Australian workers doing equivalent work.

To determine the market rate, employers are to use comparisons with Australians at their workplace or, if there are no local workers there, refer to collective agreements, awards, or other evidence such as remuneration surveys or earnings data.

http://www.theage.com.au/natio...s-20090906-fcus.html