Malcolm Turnbull scraps 457 visa program for foreign workers

The federal government will abolish the 457 visa program that allows skilled foreigners to work in Australia.

Trainee steelworker Taylor Rainik at One Steel in Melbourne, Tuesday, April 30, 2013. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

Malcolm Turnbull has announced 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.

"The fact remains Australian workers must have priority for Australian jobs," he said in a video posted to Facebook on Tuesday.

Malcolm Turnbull