[thghtihadanacct]

Around my area (Central Cali) H1B's are generally hired at a higher rate only because the position couldnt be filled by a 'local', especially for public positions. The FAANG's managed to abuse the system enough that rules have changed to something more like what you envision. At least from the hiring practices Im party to.

[aerio]

For a business in Australia to sponsor a visa for an international hire, they have to prove that they were more qualified than a local applicant and pay them more. I'm not sure if that's always followed, but it certainly made it very hard for myself to get a job.

Now I'm a permanent resident after being with my Australian partner for over a decade, self employed and running my own company.