The prospect of sending more skilled migrants to the bush to work appears to be gathering steam with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull saying it is “certainly feasible” and a Labor senator signalling the party is open to the idea.

The Turnbull government has indicated it will take a tougher approach to population growth amid voter concerns in big cities in particular that infrastructure is struggling to cope.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addresses the media with Liberal party candidate for Braddon Brett Whiteley on Friday. Credit:AAP

Campaigning on Saturday for the Longman byelection in Queensland, Mr Turnbull said the government was “always reviewing our migration policies” and “always seeking to improve” them.

“One of the things we're always seeking to do is to ensure we can encourage migrants to work in regional areas where there are more labour shortages and skills shortages than there are in the big cities,” Mr Turnbull said.