Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreements: An Overview
Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) are agreements between the Australian government and regional authorities to address the skills shortages and labor needs in specific areas of the country. DAMAs allow employers in designated regions to access more flexible visa arrangements for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
One of the most recently established DAMAs is the Far North Queensland (FNQ) DAMA. This agreement covers the local government areas of Cairns, Douglas, and Mareeba. These areas are known for their tourism, agriculture, mining, and healthcare industries. The FNQ DAMA aims to provide a pathway for local employers to fill their skilled and semi-skilled vacancies while addressing the region`s population decline and demographic challenges.
The FNQ DAMA is divided into two streams: the employer-sponsored stream and the individual-sponsored stream. Under the employer-sponsored stream, employers can sponsor overseas workers for a wide range of occupations, including healthcare professionals, hospitality workers, chefs, mechanics, and agricultural workers, among others. The individual-sponsored stream allows individuals who have a job offer from a FNQ DAMA employer to apply for a visa independently.
One of the key benefits of the FNQ DAMA is that it provides access to a broader range of visa categories than other standard visa programs. For instance, it allows for visa durations of up to four years, waives the usual age limit of 45 years for some occupations, and reduces the English language proficiency requirements.
To access the FNQ DAMA, employers need to demonstrate that they are actively trying to fill their job vacancies with Australian workers first. They also need to show that the overseas worker`s salary and working conditions are equivalent to those offered to local workers in the same occupation.
The FNQ DAMA was established in 2019 and is set to run until 2023. It is expected to generate significant economic growth in the region, particularly in industries such as tourism and agriculture. The FNQ DAMA is a positive development for employers in the region who have been struggling to find skilled and semi-skilled workers to fill their vacancies.
In conclusion, the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement provides a much-needed solution to the labor shortages experienced by local employers in the FNQ region. Its flexible visa arrangements and broader eligibility criteria make it an attractive option for skilled and semi-skilled workers and employers alike. The FNQ DAMA is a crucial example of how regional authorities can work together with the government to address the challenges facing their communities.
