Newly announced East Kimberley Designated Area Migration Agreement welcomed by industry representatives

The newly signed East Kimberley Designated Area Migration Agreement has been welcomed by local business representatives, who said it would provide relief for businesses who had suffered through years of labour shortages. The program — which allows allows the region to propose their own unique skilled and semi-skilled occupation list against which businesses can sponsor overseas workers — will be headed up by the East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Over 100 occupations will be available through the DAMA, with businesses operating in the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley invited to apply individually for access from April 1. The program is expected to bring significant relief to the health care and social assistance industry — the largest employer in the region — as well as the agriculture and tourism sectors. EKCCI President Amanda McLean said the DAMA would be an important mechanism to address ongoing skills shortages in the East Kimberley. “Our business community has suffered through years of severe labour shortages which has had an ongoing impact on many businesses ability to operate,” she said. “We are very pleased to see a five year DAMA come into effect and we look forward to working with the Federal Government and welcoming many skilled migrants to our beautiful region.” Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley President David Menzel said the DAMA would provide businesses with another pathway to attract and retain skilled workers, and it would also provide security to migrants that had already chosen to call the region home. “These workers will benefit from the various concession and flexibility a DAMA offers and give them the confidence to put down roots and settle in our region in the long-term capacity,” he said. Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said the DAMA would provide a strong framework to support rural and regional businesses to fill critical skills shortages. “The East Kimberley DAMA includes a large number of occupations which are not available under the standard visa programs,” she said. ““There has been a push for economic diversification in the East Kimberley region with industries such as forestry, aquaculture, administration and support services, tourism and aviation gaining momentum. “This expansion of industries is reflected in the wide range of occupations covered by the East Kimberley DAMA.” The announcement comes after years of advocating for the program from the EKCCI. In November last year, the Chamber announced they had completed a business case for the agreement, and called on concessions to be made on English language requirements, and highly-skilled occupations to be included.