Use of Visa Agencies -- Help!!

I'm looking for advice and stories -- the good, bad & ugly. I'm a U.S. MBA student who has just been offered a great-paying position with an Australian company. Today, however, they informed me that they don't sponsor employees directly, but rather have them go through a visa agency which acts as an intermediary between the company and the employee. That agency becomes the sponsor for the employee's 457 business visa -- and takes a hefty commission, to boot! (Oh, and they also require the purchase of private health insurance with repatriation benefits for close to $2000 a year for one individual.)

Has anyone used one of these agencies? They claim to offset most/all of their own "management fees" (typically 12.5% of the employee's salary) with something called the Living Away From Home Allowance. Is this legal? Are there hidden fees?

I'm scared to death of accepting the job and (once I'm no longer on my student visa) being at the mercy of an agency that may then repeatedly hit me with additional costs. I've been hitting a brick wall with regards to employers being willing to sponsor me themselves -- this is the second one that has recommended the use of one of these agencies.

All experiences, advice, comments would be greatly appreciated!!!

To some extent I would think it must depend on the reputation of the Australian company employing you.
Is there some way you can find out about their previous experiences with any particular agencies? Are there other employees of the same company who have done something similar - can they let you have contact details of those people so you can discuss with them?

Try: britishexpats.com This a mega website!

Normally, Australian embassies would hold a list of certified migration agents.
Also try the website of the Australian High Commission in London.

I am currently working on a 457 visa provided by a visa agency. The company is Entity Solutions and they have offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

I contacted a few of these type of companies when I got my job and was told not to go for some of them which I can't remember the name of now. Entity was by far the best.

I do pay them a commision of my salary but this is more than offset by the Living Away From Home Allowance. The only time I hear from them is when they're inviting me to free piss ups. Other than that it's all cool.

Like yourself, it was my only chance of staying in the country an so far it could not have worked out better. I also have the added advantage of not being tied to the one company. If I want to work for another company, my visa is with the agency and not the company so it actually provides greater flexibility.

I have been in this position for well over a year now and have yet to find a downside to my position.