Dutton aiming to condense 457 visa range

The Turnbull government is looking to condense the job categories available under a 457 visa, but is conscious that demand for workers varies across the country.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says the range of jobs was expanded "quite dramatically" under the Labor government, but concedes in some parts of the country it is quite difficult to get a particularly worker, such as in hospitality or a doctor.

"It is very hard to get people in regional areas. It is a different picture across the country and we need to respond accordingly," he told Sky News on Sunday.