Put a cap on backpackers working: ACTU

There should be a shift away from temporary international workers to permanent migration, the Australian Council of Trade Unions says.

The peak union body has called for a cap on the numbers of backpackers being granted working visas. (AAP)

The peak union body has called for a cap on the numbers of backpackers being granted working holiday visas to allow more Australian youngsters to obtain jobs.

In a submission to a Senate inquiry into temporary work visas, the ACTU says 160,000 young international workers are working on 417 visas while almost 300,000 Australian 15-24 years are unemployed.

The ACTU says there should also be a shift away from temporary workers to permanent migration.