Risk of Hastie job losses a worry: Shorten

Federal Employment Minister Bill Shorten is disappointed that Hastie Group's potential job losses were brought on by financial mismanagement.

Federal Employment Minister Bill Shorten is disappointed that jobs are in jeopardy at Hastie Group because of financial mismanagement.

Up to 2700 jobs are at risk in the engineering company's mechanical business after it appointed administrators.

Hastie has insufficient funds to continue operating its mechanical, electrical and plumbing arms in Australia.

The company is under threat after an employee admitted to falsifying company accounts.

Mr Shorten said the government had been in contact with the administrators and was working with them to ensure affected workers were provided with all available support.

"I am particularly disappointed that these potential job losses have been brought about by poor financial management in the company," he said in a statement on Monday.

"The administrator has advised us that they are doing all they can to sell the as many of the subsidiary companies as possible as going concerns to ensure as many workers as possible retain their jobs."

Mr Shorten will be meeting with the administrator in Melbourne on Friday.