A new program to tackle labour shortages in Victoria’s Great South Coast region has been officially launched today in Warrnambool.
The Great South Coast Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) provides an opportunity for regional employers to be endorsed to hire overseas workers for roles that cannot be filled by Australian residents.
The DAMA is an Australian Government initiative with the Great South Coast DAMA a first for Victoria and the first to be driven by Local Government.
Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said “the DAMA is designed to support local businesses by helping them fill key roles.
“Over recent years, we have been told by many employers that they struggle to recruit people in particular industries. The community should also be reassured that every effort will continue to be made to fill vacancies locally before utilising the DAMA.
“This is a targeted program, and it’s important to understand that workers appointed through the DAMA are not replacing local workers, they are filling gaps in the labour market which have been holding some businesses back.”
Source: Coleman----new-approach-to-tackling-labour-shortages.pdf