Employers who don't properly search for Australian workers won't be able to bring in foreigners under the Turnbull government's new visa regime.
The government is scrapping the 457 visa program for temporary foreign workers and replacing it with new two-year and four-year visas.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned the labour market testing requirements for the new visas - including advertising jobs over six months - would be rigorously policed.
Employers who fail to meet requirements will be named and shamed.
"Where employers breach their obligations then they won't be able to get further people in under visas," Mr Turnbull told ABC radio on Wednesday.
The prime minister couldn't say how many more jobs would be available to Australians when the new scheme starts.
There are 95,000 workers on 457 visas at the moment - less than one per cent of the workforce.
"In terms of the absolute number of people, it will depend obviously on the demands of the economy and on skills shortages," Mr Turnbull said.
"What we want to make sure is where there are long and enduring skills shortages in Australia, that Australians are being trained to do that work."
Mr Turnbull fronted the media on Wednesday morning in Canberra, where he continued the call for businesses to prioritise Australian workers.
"Where skilled Australian workers are not available, migration should be able to provide businesses with the skills they need to grow but Australia must give priority to workers in our country," he said.
"The new temporary skills shortage visa will give business incentives to employ Australian workers first."
Mr Turnbull also flagged changes to citizenship rules for permanent skilled migrants, so they are consistent with Australia's cultural values.
"They'll ensure that each new migrant has the skills and outlook to contribute to Australia and our economy in the way we need them to," he said.
"This ability to hit the ground running will benefit both our migrants and our nation by helping them integrate into our culture and our workforce."
Employers who hire foreign workers will have to contribute to a new training fund to support apprenticeships and traineeships.
