The Federal Government is looking to remove a new requirement, forcing workers on offshore oil and gas rigs to have the support of a 457 visa.

The Maritime Union of Australia has come out against the plans to wind back legislation brought in on the very last day of the Gillard government.

It could signal the start of a stoush between the union and the government, over fears that local jobs will be lost.

The Offshore Resources Act (ORA) was the final piece of legislation introduced by the former government, and now Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash says it reintroduction was forced through Federal Parliament just to appease the Maritime Union.

The Act says skilled workers from overseas are only accepted on a 457 visa, which is administered under the Migration Act and requires the sponsorship of a local company.

Senator Cash believes the requirement is holding up the oil and gas industry.

“No consultation was undertaken before the ORA was reintroduced,” she said in an interview with the ABC.

“I don't think there was an understanding of the actual impact of regulating this environment.

“Under the Act, every foreign vessel that comes into our water, even if they're only there with a highly skilled workforce to lay a cable, not stopping just laying a cable and getting out, they need a 457 visa.

“But international practice itself does not require these foreign workers in a highly specialised, very niche industry to have visas because they are so highly skilled.”

She says she may get around her own worries and obligations by bringing a new category.

“In the event the ORA Repeal Act doesn't get up, I am actually bound by the legislation to introduce a visa,” she said.

“But I haven't just introduced a visa. I've introduced a visa the industry is already familiar with, knows how to utilise and would not literally add more red tape.

“So we've brought in new arrangements, as opposed to a new visa.

“Those workers will still have to have a visa, but it will be the existing Maritime Crew Visa, so there's no additional compliance and no additional cost.”

The Maritime Union of Australia has condemned the move as mere sleight-of-hand, saying it is not about reducing red tape.

Assistant secretary for the MUA WA branch, Will Tracey, says changes are not necessary.

“It's a nonsense to suggest this is simply about getting skilled labour into the country,” he said.

“They can still do it under the current system.”