Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says is abolishing 457 visas which bring temporary foreign workers into Australia and replacing it with another visa class.

"The fact remains Australian workers must have priority for Australian jobs," Mr. Turnbull said in a video posted to Facebook.  "We will no longer allow 457 visas to be passports to jobs that could and should go to Australians."

The PM said that 457 visas, which last for four years, would be replaced with two-year visas that put emphasis on work experience, English language skills, and a proper criminal background check.  The number of occupations that qualify for a temporary visa is currently more than 200; that will be reduced.

"The 457 visa will be replaced by a new temporary visa specifically designed to recruit the best and the brightest in the national interest," he said.  "The new visa will better target genuine skills shortages, including in regional Australia."

About a quarter of the current holders of a 457 visa come from India; just under 20 percent come from the UK, and Chinese are third at 5.6 percent. Current 457 visa holders won't be impacted by the changes and will continue under the current conditions, according to Immigration minister Peter Dutton.