“Dubbo relies heavily on skilled migration,” he said. “The number of people on skilled visas in Dubbo is in the hundreds.”

The Federal Government yesterday made changes to Skilled Migration Program shifting the focus on to skilled workers in high demand professions.

Mr Coulton said it is hard to get skilled workers in areas such as health in Dubbo and welcomed the possibility of more skilled workers in the region.

“If the skilled people are going to a job of need they should continue,” he said

Mr Coulton said the lack of local skilled workers and the aging population meant there would be a need for migrant workers in the area.

“With the aging population we will need more workers,” he said.

Mr Coulton’s comments came after the Federal Government announcement that the skilled migration program would be overhauled.

The Government’s overhaul includes measures such as cutting the list of in demand occupations, a move away from unsponsored migrants and a focus on migrants being sponsored by employers with first priority given to migrants who already have a job lined-up.

There are also future plans for a system that favours high-value jobs, migrants who went to top-universities, have excellent English skills or have more experience.

The changes mean applicants from professions such as hairdressing or accounting will have their immigration applications cancelled and refunded. Priority will be given to highly skilled workers such as doctors, nurses and high school teachers.

Immigration minister Chris Evans said that the overhaul would mean a change from a supply-driven model to a demand-driven system.

Mr Coulton agreed the skilled migration program should be demand driven and it was important skilled migrants should continue to come Dubbo but he hoped soon these position would be taken by locals.