Migrants to help labour shortage
Over the past two years, the pandemic has served to highlight Australia’s continuing need for a new pool of workers with many migrant workers having returned to their home base.
The Federal Government has recently introduced a program known as Designated Area Migration Agreement. (DAMA) that employers in the Goulburn Valley are being encouraged to take up.
It is forecasted the Goulburn Valley DAMA will result in a $144 million economic boost over its first four years, as well as drive population growth and create additional job opportunities for Australians.
“With over 74,000 job vacancies in regional Australia, regional migration initiatives, such as DAMA arrangements, are particularly timely as we look forward to the return of skilled migrants to Australia,” Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke, said.
“Although the preference is always to employ Australian workers where possible, skill shortages remain, and this agreement will help to provide the staff employers have been struggling to find.
“The Greater Shepparton, Moira and Campaspe local governments have shown tremendous effort in consulting with local businesses to inform their strong DAMA submission.”
Federal Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, said business owners and managers, health services and local governments had been involved in the planning of this DAMA.
“I’d like to personally thank all of them for their work in making this important agreement a reality,” Mr Drum said.
“As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is particularly important to have the workers we need and while this Government’s preference is to always employ locals, in many cases there is a scarcity of Australians to undertake certain skilled work.
“This DAMA will allow local businesses to recruit suitably qualified overseas workers across a variety of occupations to build their workforce to where it needs to be to maximise production.”
The Goulburn Valley DAMA provides businesses access to several occupations not available under mainstream visa programs, giving employers increased flexibility to ensure job ready workers can fill skill shortages.
The Greater Shepparton City Council will administer the process for accessing the Goulburn Valley DAMA which will be open to businesses operating in any of the Greater Shepparton, Moira, and Campaspe local government areas.
Local businesses can apply individually to access the DAMA from 2022.
BOOSTING BUSINESS… Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum and Peter Don from PJ’s Concrete Pumping, who said the DAMA was a “lifesaver” for his business. He has struggled to find the workers he needs for at least three years Photo: Supplied. 
WORKING TOGETHER…From left, Moira Shire Council’s Frank Malcolm, Greater Shepparton City Mayor Kim O’Keeffe, Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum, PJ’s Concrete Pumping business owner Peter Don, and Campaspe Shire CEO Declan Moore. Photo: Supplied.
