Marketers thinking of relocating or returning to Australia from overseas may face a struggle, with reports saying 60 per cent of agencies do not plan to hire 457 visa staff this coming year.

A Michael Page study has found a rise in the number of candidates returning or moving to Australia from Asian markets as well as countries with more limited opportunities due to a more packed market, such as Spain or the UK.

The report says with 457 visa changes employers are more reticent than ever to take on a recruit who may lack local industry knowledge, despite a possible wealth of global perspective. One marketing manager bucked the trend however, saying a move from overseas “shows the employer that you’re independent, you possess world digital marketing knowledge and that you consistently strive to further your marketing career.”

Demand for social media, digital marketing, search engine optimisation skills may never have been greater in the domestic market, says Cassidy Poon from LogicalTech; “In many cases digital and social marketing experts are being employed as a temporary resource, although the permanent market is showing signs of expanding throughout 2013. This demand for digital and social marketing professionals has ensured that applicants for such roles are able to command a 10% premium in pay – especially within retail banking.”