Naming and shaming bosses who exploit sponsored migrant workers will deter companies from doing the wrong thing, the government says.
The Department of Home Affairs would have the power to publicly identify those migrant sponsors who have been sanctioned for failing to meet their obligations under legislation that passed the lower house on Tuesday evening.
Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge said the proposal would also allow Home Affairs to collect migrant workers' tax file numbers to verify that sponsor businesses are complying with hiring obligations and that visa holders are meeting their own conditions.
"These measures collectively strengthen the integrity of skilled migration visa programs and protect Australian and overseas workers," he said.
Labour is backing the laws, which opposition immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann said would better inform workers about the companies they might work for.
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"There are unfortunately unscrupulous bosses in Australia who take advantage of vulnerable workers, often temporary or overseas skilled workers, and they exploit them," he told parliament.
"These abhorrent and disgusting acts not only exploit the most vulnerable workers in Australia but they're also to the detriment of the pay and conditions of all Australian workers."
Labor is backing the bill but Mr Neumann has called on the scope to be widened to include other migrant workers, including seasonal workers.
He also pleaded the opposition's case again for tougher labour market testing rules to ensure Australians get the first shot at local jobs.
