Influx of overseas skilled migrants expected

AN inquiry into migration in regional Australia kicked off in Canberra this week with the Joint Standing Committee on Migration holding its first public hearing yesterday.

The aim of the inquiry is to examine what visa and policies are working and what more is needed to encourage migrants to settle and stay in regional areas.

This public hearing comes just weeks after Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana launched and opened applications for its Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

The Orana DAMA provides employers with streamline access to skilled overseas workers in specific industries in the region which are experiencing skill and labour shortages.

Welcoming the inquiry, RDA Orana’s Director of Regional Development Megan Dixon said skilled migration is essential for the region to thrive.

“We have made several submissions to both the State and Federal Government on the importance of skilled migration in the past,” Ms Dixon said.

“This inquiry coincides with the launch of our Orana DAMA, a five-year labour agreement between the Federal Government and RDA Orana which will see up to 500 skilled migrants relocating to the Orana region in the next year.”

There are more than 70 occupations eligible for sponsorship under the Orana DAMA, including wine maker, registered nurse, motel manager, carpenter, general electrician, pastrycook, bookkeeper, childcare worker and truck driver.

Differing from standard skilled migration programs, the Orana DAMA will reduce application processes from up to two years, to a few months.