SA’s push for increase in skilled migrants for country areas step closer with share in $19.5m in federal funding

A key plank of the State Government’s targeted migration push will today be realised with the announcement of $19.5 million in federal funding to attract skilled workers to the regions.

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A key plank of the State Government’s targeted migration push will today be realised with the announcement of $19.5 million in federal funding to attract skilled workers to the regions.

Federal immigration minster David Coleman will today announce the funding, which will launch incentives for overseas workers to call regional areas of Australia home.

A major part of the plan will be the extension of Designated Area Migration Agreements, which Premier Steven Marshall had called for.

Mr Marshall’s push for priority processing of skilled migrants for regional areas will also be adopted.

Mr Coleman told The Advertiser the visa programs were about supporting Australian businesses and creating opportunities for more Australians.

“These regional initiatives will see the Department of Home Affairs work directly with regional employers and communities to attract migrants,” he said.

Mr Coleman will announce the funding today at a Council of Australian Government meeting in Canberra, where population will be a key agenda item.

Last month, The Advertiser revealed Mr Marshall wanted the Federal Government to develop more Designated Area Migration Agreements that offer incentives for skilled migrants to work in regional parts of SA.

Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall. Picture: AAP / Kelly Barnes

The agreements, he argued, could also extend to specific occupations, such as defence and space, highlighted in the State Government’s vision for the Lot Fourteen City Deal and essential for the growth of Adelaide.

Mr Coleman will outline measures including:

AN extension of the Designated Area Migration Agreements that currently only exist in the Northern Territory and a small region of Victoria

PRIORITY processing of skilled workers for regional Australia

ESTABLISHING a Regional Migration Hub to undertake outreach activities to support regional employers to access skilled migrant workers.

Treasurer Rob Lucas, who will attend today’s meeting, told The Advertiser the state’s position was clear.

“We understand the concerns that Sydney and Melbourne … have got about infrastructure,” Mr Lucas said.

“But as the Premier has indicated, we are very, very supportive of a greater concentration of immigration focus into SA.”

Mr Lucas will also urge the Federal Government for “a greater sense of urgency” from officials to translate the discussion into action.