A new report from the Coalition MPs called for places in hotel quarantine being reserved for incoming skilled migrant workers.
Liberal MP Julian Leeser said Australians wanting to return home will still have priority, but skilled migrants should be next in line.
Labor Senator Ciccone said that while Australia should be celebrated as a migration nation, it is important that migrants do not displace Australians from local workplaces.
A report from Labor rejected the proposal, saying heart-felt calls from Australian citizens attempting to return home should be taken more seriously.