A slump in business travellers, tourists and overseas workers threatens to deliver a new shock to Australia's economy, already facing sharply lower commodities exports and the international credit crunch.

New figures reveal a sharp drop in international visitors coming to Australia, with business travellers, tourists and temporary skilled migrants staying away as corporations cut costs and tourists stay closer to home.

Immigration Department figures obtained by The Weekend Australian show the number of business visas fell 30 per cent in January compared with the same period last year, and that temporary skilled migrant visas have dropped by 33per cent since September.

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