The Coalition Government is set to change regulations to allow pipe construction vessels to use workers on maritime crew visas - so companies will not need to staff a ship with Australians.

Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash has conceded today the coalition may not be able to repeal the Migration Amendment (Offshore Resources Activity) Act 2013 (or the 'ORA Act') which was pushed through in the dying days of the Labor government that demanded employers on offshore pipe-laying vessels seek to employ Australian workers first.

Instead, the government will try to change the regulations to allow the less onerous martime crew visa to be used for such work.

"I want to see visa service delivery that meets the needs of employers without overburdening them with red tape, while ensuring that migration delivers social and economic strength, prosperity and unity," said Senator Cash to the Western Australian newspaper.

In 2012, the Federal Court ruled that foreign workers on pipe-laying vessels working on the the multibillion-dollar Gorgon gas project were outside the migration zone and did not need Australian work visas. The decision angered the powerful Maritime Union of Australia and last year the Gillard government introduced laws to recognise that anyone taking part in an offshore resources activity needed a visa.

DIBP statistics reported in the Australian indicate that half of Australia’s migrant workers are recruited onshore, with one in every 20 backpackers last year receiving a 457 visa to stay working here for four more years. Unions say that unemployed Australians are being by-passed and have demanded for the expansion of labour market testing.

CFMEU national secretary Michael O’Connor said that employers should be forced to advertise all jobs on job-search websites or in newspapers before hiring migrant workers. “Backpackers are being engaged in the construction industry on semi-skilled labouring work where there would be many ideal candidates locally to do the work,’’ he said.

However, the Master Builders Association said companies preferred local workers, who were much easier to hire. “All labour market testing does is delay the process,’’ MBA spokesman Ben Carter said yesterday. “No building contractor has any incentive to employ foreign labour.’’

Figures released by Scott Morrison at the Transport and Tourism Forum in Canberra earlier this year indicate that on average, each Working Holiday Maker spends A$13,218 during their stay in Australia. Approximately 71 per cent of this expenditure occurs in the three interrelated areas of tourism, accommodation and transportation.

The Minister noted that Working Holiday Makers generally tend to spend more than they earn, making a small but important contribution to the creation of Australian jobs. For every 100 Working Holiday Makers who arrive in Australia there is a net gain to the Australian economy of 6.3 full time jobs. This means that the 258,000 Working Holiday arrivals in the last financial year generated more than 16,000 additional Australian jobs.

The following complaint has gone in today:

I would like to make a complaint that the DIBP denies Australian Citizens access to it's e-visa student lodgement systems, whilst at the same time allowing non-Australian citizens to access the systems.  This is a restraint of trade and denial of our country's own citizens to a service, whilst prioritising non-citizens.  Citizens experiencing denial of service are Registered Migration Agents, amongst others.

How to make a complaint to the Ombudsman

The Minister’s announcement can be found at:  http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/mc/2014/mc214807.htm and the Department’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)s regarding the changes including the score requirements are available on this web site:  http://www.immi.gov.au/News/Pages/aelt.aspx  

The incoming regulations will apply to the following visa subclasses:  124, 132, 151, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 462, 476, 485, 489, 858, 887, 888, 890, 891, 892, 893.

The introduction of competition for testing options through acceptance of the TOEFL iBT, which is a widely recognised English proficiency test across the globe, will mean your members’ clients can have a choice of English test.

7:08PM 30/05/2014 AUST EST  - Australian Embassies in Washington and Ottowa are only Australian posts left on planet to lodge offshore applications for OTHER FAMILY VISAS (Remaining Relative / Carer) - options could be to find local courier company which will allow you to email or fax them and then they print it off and courier it today (their time) to Ottowa and Washington before 4pm close of business Friday 30 May 2014 (USA / Canada time).

USA:  Australian Embassy: 1601 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington DC 20036 - Telephone: (202) 797 3000 - Fax: (202) 797 3168

CANADA: Australian High Commission: Suite 710-50 O'Connor St, Ottawa ON, K1P 6L2 / Phone 613-236-0841 / Fax 613-216-1321 / Visas 613-216-7603 / Twitter @AusHCCanada