A proposed new scheme from the Australian government would require all employers to prove that they have advertised for labour locally before sponsoring workers from overseas.

And the law would also oblige firms that do bring in overseas labour on 457 visas to spend at least 1% of total payroll on training their local and foreign staff for the duration of that sponsorship.

Immigration and citizenship minister Brendan O'Connor says that a further 300 inspectors of 457 visas will be given the power to investigate firms. Only 33 are currently in place across Australia, but he notes: “This requirement will not impose any additional burden on those already doing the right thing.”

The use of 457 visas in low-skill industries such as retail and hospitality is of particular concern, the government says.

This comes the week after the country clamped down on illegal foreign workers with bigger fines for firms that take them on, a measure also touted by the minister as “an essential part of the government's effort to… ensure local jobs are available for local jobseekers”.