Malcolm Turnbull has announced today he is abolishing the 457 visa program for skilled migrants.
The prime minister said Australia was a successful multicultural "immigration nation" but it was time to put Australians first.
"Australia is the most successful multicultural nation in the world, we are an immigration nation, but he fact remains Australian workers must have priority for Australian jobs," he said in a video posted to Facebook on Tuesday. "We will no longer allow 457 visas to be passports to jobs that could and should go to Australians."
Mr Turnbull said it remained critical to give businesses access to skilled staff. "The 457 visa will be replaced by a new temporary visa specifically designed to recruit the best and the brightest in the national interest," he said.
"The new visa will better target genuine skills shortages, including in regional Australia."
Under the government's plan the list of occupations that qualify for a temporary visa will be reduced from its current number of more than 200. This change will be effective from 19 April 2017.
New visas for skilled workers
The new visas will be limited to a two-year period that require at least two years of work experience. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the new two-year visa would not allow permanent residency.
A second four-year visa will require a higher standard of English language skills as well as a proper criminal check.
The new system would be "manifestly, rigorously, resolutely" conducted in the national interest to put Australian jobs first, Mr Turnbull said.
Anyone now in Australia on a 457 visa will not be affected by the new arrangements. "They will continue under the conditions of that visa," Mr Dutton said.
Those visas will be in place by March 2018.
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