457 visas peaked under Gillard

The use of 457 visas peaked under the Gillard government and has fallen under the Abbott government, figures show.

New figures show the use of overseas workers on 457 visas peaked under the Gillard government. (AAP)

The use of overseas workers on 457 visas peaked under the Gillard government, new figures show.

Immigration department figures show more than 126,000 workers were granted 457 visas in 2012/13, The Australian reports on Tuesday.

Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash has told the newspaper the number of 457 visas granted under the Abbott government in 2014/15 was a little over 100,000.