Nurses urge temporary Australian visa overhaul

The three nurses were working on temporary Australian visas in a nursing home when the exploitation occurred. The actions have led to Ged Kearney, the Nursing Federation's president, telling the publication the scheme should be overhauled.

She said a permanent Australian visa should replace the temporary visa to avoid misuses. Michael Campbell, the Commonwealth's Workplace Ombudsman executive director, told the publication: "There were times when these vulnerable workers did not have enough money to put food on the table."

The number of people applying for a temporary Australian visa increased by a quarter in 2007-08, to over 58,000 applicants. According to the Australian, it rose from 46,700 people the previous year.

Australia needs skilled workers: Anyone applying for an Australian visa should begin by completing the Australian Visa Bureau's online Australian visa application to see if they meet the Australian visa requirements.