The Department of Home Affairs, in partnership with Townsville Enterprise, will deliver two free information sessions this week for businesses interested in learning more about accessing and employing skilled migrants.
Department of Home Affairs Acting Regional Director Liz Kerrish said her team was focused on providing support and information to local businesses.
“We recognise that employers in this region are crying out for more skilled workers, to enable them to operate effectively and secure future growth,” Ms Kerrish said.
“With record unemployment, we understand the present challenges and will be meeting with local businesses to help them navigate and understand migration pathways,” she said.
The sessions will specifically discuss Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) and the benefits they bring to regional areas like Townsville and surrounds.
“DAMAs are a formal arrangement between the Australian Government and a regional, state or territory authority. They operate under an agreement-based framework, providing flexibility for regions to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions,” she said.
“Essentially, DAMAs provide enhanced access to more overseas workers than the standard visa programs.
“Townsville Enterprise has recently secured a DAMA for the region, covering Townsville, Burdekin, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, and the Northwest corridor to Mount Isa. The DAMA provides a flexible and new migration pathway for North Queensland employers to help address workforce shortages within the region,” she said.
Townsville Enterprise CEO, Claudia Brumme-Smith said resolving labour force shortages in the region was a key priority to ensure North Queensland can exploit the growth and economic development opportunities forecast for the next decade.
“The announcement of CopperString and the projects surrounding this once in a generation opportunity means we need a workforce to support this growth,” Mrs Brumme-Smith said.
“Every industry is feeling the frustration of low unemployment. They are desperate for workers and DAMA allows a more efficient channel for businesses struggling to recruit domestically.”
For more information about DAMA labour agreements visit https://www.townsvilleenterprise.com.au/skills-and-migration/
