Federal Labor wants employers to advertise locally before seeking temporary foreign workers.
In a bid to shake up the 457 visa program, labor has proposed that the employers will be required to advertise job opportunities for a minimum of four weeks.
People on temporary work visas were getting opportunities which should be going to permanent Australian citizens, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said while announcing the policy on Friday.
"We're very committed to making sure Australians are not missing out on job opportunities," he told reporters in Darwin.
The move would help address under-employment and the jobless rate in Australia, Mr Shorten said.
Labor would also increase sponsor fees to employ temporary skilled workers from overseas.
Workplaces where more than half the workforce was made up of 457 visa holders would pay an extra $1500 for each additional visa if they apply for more temporary workers.
Those with a smaller proportion of 457 visa workers would also face a sliding scale of fee increases.
The opposition is also keen to crack down on the exploitation of foreign workers. "Working seven days a week, working below-award wages, exploited by employers - that should not happen, but it does," workplace spokesman Brendan O'Connor said.
In addition to this, Labor said it would also commission independent reviews into the student visa and working holidaymaker visa programs.
