Local business survey taking place in response to skills shortage
Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW), in conjunction with Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday LGA’s and Mackay and Whitsundays Chambers of Commerce, are organising a survey to obtain local business owners’ opinions on a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).
The telephone survey will be conducted by EMRS, and it is envisaged that 2,500 businesses across the Greater Whitsundays region will be contacted from 12-26 June.
A DAMA is an agreement between the Commonwealth and a state/territory or regional body that provides access to a broader range of overseas workers than available through the standard skilled visa programs.
It also enables various negotiable concessions and pathways to permanent residence, attracting and retaining more overseas workers.
Interest in a DAMA follows on from regional businesses struggling to fill job positions domestically.
The Greater Whitsundays has faced this challenge for many years, continually having more jobs than people.
RDA GW CEO Robert Cocco said establishing a seamless protocol for employing outside of Australia “has the potential to relieve a great deal of pressure from local business owners”.
“A DAMA could be part of the answer to the region’s job crisis, but we need to find out if it’s feasible for business owners before acting.”
The costs associated with DAMAs vary but business owners can expect a $1,000 to $1,500 fee per position per business.
This is in conjunction with regular visa costs and government levies related to migration.
“DAMAs are an investment for the future of the Greater Whitsundays, but it’s up to our local business owners to determine if it’s a step in the right direction.”
“RDA GW acts in the interest of the region’s needs and prioritises what the local population deems valuable. We will continue to adhere to these values should there be business interests in the establishment of a DAMA.”
Mr. Cocco urges business owners to take the survey seriously.
“A solution for the job crisis cannot be determined without the opinion of the employers. It’s important for business owners to have their say in the survey.”