Are you a business in the Whitsundays region facing challenges in acquiring a domestic workforce for job positions? The Greater Whitsundays Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) might be the solution we’ve all been looking for.
DAMAs are formal agreements between the Australian Government and regional authorities, providing access to a broader range of overseas workers than the standard skilled migration programs. These agreements offer a tailored response to address local economic and labour market needs, supporting Australian businesses where there are skills gaps and shortages that cannot be met domestically.
The benefits of DAMAs include:
- Identifying specific occupations tailored to our region’s needs.
- Including more occupations available across a range of skill levels, including semi-skilled occupations.
- Extending temporary visa options (482 Temporary Skills Shortage, subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional), and subclass 186 Employer Nominated Scheme visa programs) for up to 5 years.
- Providing concessions to standard visa requirements, recognising regional diversity and attracting a broader range of applicants.
- Increasing pathways to permanent residency, enabling regions to attract and retain workers and reduce staff turnover.
We are partnering with Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW) along with three Local Governments, other regional Chambers of Commerce, and several Industry Peak Bodies to explore how the region can establish a DAMA to support the skilled workers’ needs of employers in the region.
To establish a DAMA in the Greater Whitsundays region, the local community’s support is vital.
Commencing Tuesday 13 June 2023, RDA GW will conduct a Business Community Attitudes Survey to gauge the level of interest and support among regional employers.
We invite you to participate in this survey to share your experiences, challenges, and opinions regarding workforce access and the DAMA initiative. By contributing, you can help shape the future of workforce development in our region. Your input will provide valuable data that will be presented to the government to support the establishment of a DAMA in the Greater Whitsundays.
The survey will commence Tuesday 13 June 2023.
The survey will be a short telephone call conducted by Regional Development Australia’s research consultants to Whitsunday businesses on their database. We encourage all businesses contacted to participate and have their say.
Alternatively, you can email Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays on projectmanager@rdagw.org.au to request to participate in the survey.
We encourage all businesses contacted to participate and have their say.
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