The Abbott government will explore ways of making it easier for employers to hire overseas workers on 457 visas, claiming there's no evidence of widespread rorting as alleged by Labor.
The government on Wednesday released an independent report into the visa scheme, which allows skilled workers to be sponsored for temporary employment in Australia.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said the report presented a "balanced and measured set of reforms" for improving the scheme, which he said was vital for helping create Australian jobs.
The report recommended abolishing labour market testing, streamlining the renewal process for trusted sponsors and relaxing the English-language requirements for visa applicants.
Mr Morrison expressed support for some measures, and noted the review panel found "no evidence" to support claims of widespread rorting of the 457 scheme made by the previous Labor government.
"The 457 program came under direct attack from Labor in government, as they attempted to suffocate the program with regulation at the urging of the unions," he told the National Press Club.
"457 workers make a contribution from day one. They come the right way, they pay tax and support themselves from day one."
The Australian Council of Trade Unions warned the recommendation to lower English standards for 457 visa holders would see foreign workers exploited.
"If workers can't read safety standards and procedures then their lives and their colleagues' lives are being put at risk," ACTU president Ged Kearney said in a statement.
Some trade unions claimed removing the requirement for employers to look locally before hiring an overseas workers would deny qualified Australians a chance at a job.
But the response wasn't unanimously negative, with business and resource groups welcoming changes they claimed would make it easier to get workers where they were needed most.
The National Farmers Federation said regional Australia suffered from acute skills shortages and there was not enough local workers in many parts to fill job gaps.
"This makes being able to bring skilled workers in from overseas hugely important," NFF president Brent Finlay said in a statement.
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