Business, government fears as replacement DAMA remains unsigned
Industry groups warn of worker shortages as Commonwealth dithers over regional worker agreements. Read what this means.
Northern Territory
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Two months since the last Designated Area Migration Agreement expired, Territory industry groups and the CLP Government are worried Commonwealth hand-wringing and a snap election announcement will combine to stop the replacement from being signed.
Hospitality NT’s Cathy Simmonds and Master Builders NT’s Damien Moriarty have written to the federal government warning of a pending workforce crisis if the latest DAMA is not renewed “as a matter of urgency”.
Business and Population Minister Robyn Cahill backed the Territory, describing as “incredibly disappointing” delays in finalising the latest DAMA, which expired in December 2024.
Ms Cahill said she had spoken to Assistant Federal Minister for Immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite and called on him to get on with signing the new agreement.
“The delay by the Australian Labor government in finalising the DAMA which expired in December 2024, is incredibly disappointing,” Ms Cahill said.
“This is a critical framework to assist Territory businesses to attract workers to the Northern Territory and the delay on signing off the agreement has made it incredibly difficult for businesses who rely on skilled migration to fill skill shortages.
“I have personally met with the Assistant Minister for Migration who has responsibility for this agreement and pressed the urgency for this matter to be finalised. I will hold him to his commitment to ensure the sign-off is progressed as a matter of urgency.”
Mr Thistlethwaite has been contacted for comment, but the two Territory peak bodies say the time for talk is over, and the agreement must be signed before a federal election is called and caretaker arrangements begin, which could delay its formalisation until mid year.
In her letter to the assistant minister, Ms Simmonds said the Territory’s unique economic and demographic challenges make filling skilled worker roles difficult, with the DAMA critical to addressing regional skills shortages and maintaining economic competitiveness.
She said time was running out for the hospitality sector to secure skilled overseas migrant workers ahead of the Dry.
“My members have expressed deep frustration with the continued delays to the renewal of the NT DAMA,” Ms Simmonds said.
“Skilled migrants are essential to sustaining our industry sector, and February-March is the crucial recruitment period ahead of the peak visitor season. Without NT DAMA in place, businesses will not have their workforce in time.
“The Territory cannot wait until the election. I urge you to approve the NT DAMA now.”
Damien Moriarty said the construction sector could not meet building demand without the DAMA.
“Without it, businesses will continue to struggle to recruit essential tradespeople, delaying projects, increasing costs, and undermining the Territory’s economic competitiveness,” he said.
“Skilled migrants are essential to sustaining our industry, and the end of the Wet Season is a crucial period for workforce planning ahead of major project deadlines. Without the NT DAMA in place, businesses will face severe workforce shortages that will slow or halt critical developments.”
The 2023 DAMA renewal, which expired last year, delivered up to 625 temporary skilled visas to the Territory, with a minimum-wage increase from $48,000 to $55,000 for the year.
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