The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce and Industry says a Federal Government decision to make the 457 visa system more restrictive is bad news.
The Government says the system for importing workers was being rorted by some employers who weren't using available Australian workers.
NT Chamber manager Greg Bicknell has questioned what happened to what was supposed to be Australia's first regional migration agreement, which was to cover the Northern Territory.
The Federal Government announced a year ago it would negotiate the agreement so that Darwin businesses could hire overseas workers if there were no Australians to fill the jobs.
But there has been no agreement and the Government has now announced a raft of changes to the 457 visa system, making it more restrictive.
Mr Bicknell says Darwin's unemployment rate is less than 2 per cent, and businesses will find it even more difficult to get workers.
"The majority of employers in the Northern Territory are small to micro businesses," he said.
"Generally, skilled migration is a last option.
"They will have tried to recruit local people first and foremost because that's easiest.
"It is a costly process to bring someone in from overseas.
"It's not the preferred option, but often it's the only option."
Mr Bicknell says the changes will make the system more difficult and expensive.
"Anything that increases the complexity of this program is something business doesn't want to see," he said.
The Government says the system for importing workers was being rorted by some employers who weren't using available Australian workers.
NT Chamber manager Greg Bicknell has questioned what happened to what was supposed to be Australia's first regional migration agreement, which was to cover the Northern Territory.
The Federal Government announced a year ago it would negotiate the agreement so that Darwin businesses could hire overseas workers if there were no Australians to fill the jobs.
But there has been no agreement and the Government has now announced a raft of changes to the 457 visa system, making it more restrictive.
Mr Bicknell says Darwin's unemployment rate is less than 2 per cent, and businesses will find it even more difficult to get workers.
"The majority of employers in the Northern Territory are small to micro businesses," he said.
"Generally, skilled migration is a last option.
"They will have tried to recruit local people first and foremost because that's easiest.
"It is a costly process to bring someone in from overseas.
"It's not the preferred option, but often it's the only option."
Mr Bicknell says the changes will make the system more difficult and expensive.
"Anything that increases the complexity of this program is something business doesn't want to see," he said.
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