The AUKUS submarine program could drain skilled workers away from other industries. Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS

Australia could be forced to bring in more migrants to fill critical gaps in the nation's workforce created by the AUKUS nuclear submarine program, the home affairs minister warns.

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Tony Burke used a major address to suggest some Australians will leave their jobs to seek out better-paying roles in the defence sector as the AUKUS pact progresses in the coming years.

That could leave a number of industries short of workers, forcing them to look overseas for staff.

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