NT projects are being put on hold because of an ‘extreme skills shortage’

NT Property Council executive director Ruth Palmer has sent the NT government a six-point plan to boost the number of skilled workers across the Territory. See the list.

Projects are stalling or not progressing beyond the planning phase because of “an extreme skills shortage” in the Territory, according to NT Property Council executive director Ruth Palmer.

Ms Palmer said a shortage of supplies and building materials was exacerbating the skilled worker shortage.

The NT Property Council has provided the NT government with a six-point plan to boost the Territory’s skilled-worker intake, grow the economy and create jobs.

“Many projects are stalling or failing to progress past the planning stages,” Ms Palmer said. “Attracting more skilled migrants into the NT is critical in reversing this trend.

“In light of the challenges that have been thrown into the Territory’s real property industry post-Covid, more skilled migrants should be encouraged to make the Territory their new home.”

The Property Council has provided government with a series of recommendations to help attract skilled employees.

At the top of the list is converting quarantine facilities into migrant housing.

The 67ha centre has 875 accommodation units with 3500 bedrooms and could serve as interim accommodation for skilled migrant workers while they source permanent accommodation.

The former miners’ camp at Howard Springs that was used as a Covid quarantine facility. Picture: Che Chorley

The Property Council has requested improved accessibility to home ownership for skilled migrants, highlighting a structural advantage in the Territory economy that excludes overseas buyers from paying a Foreign Buyer’s Surcharge (FBS).

As the only jurisdiction without an FBS, the Property Council wants to use the advantage to work with the NT government to leverage a greater number of migrant workers here.

The Property Council is seeking a number of visa amendments from the Commonwealth including offering visa extensions for migrants nearing the end of their Australian stay to work in the Territory.

Ms Palmer is calling on the NT government to lobby the Commonwealth to slash lengthy visa processing times, advocate for an update of the Skilled Occupation List to prioritise jobs in the property sector and to reduce the cost of visas, which can be prohibitive, on top of skill-assessment fees that can exceed $4000.

Other measures include ratcheting up funding for talent attraction campaigns and the declaration of the Territory as a special economic zone that could consider reduction of the backpacker tax from 15 per cent, removal of fringe benefits taxes on employee housing, reintroduction of a North Australia Zone Allowance and changes to the Australian Significant Investor Visa.

“Property Council has provided recommendations to the government that promote the Northern Territory as a destination for interstate and international workers,” Ms Palmer said.

“If the recommendations are implemented we would anticipate seeing an increase in our population growth, workforce attractiveness and economic activity.

“This would be a significant step towards realising the Northern Territory Government’s vision for 2030, which calls for a $40 billion economy.

“We recognise the changes required to turn these issues around and we are eager to support the government by proposing and delivering measures to increase the NT’s attractiveness.”

Migrant workers key to Territory workforce issues

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles will this week take part in National Cabinet to push the Northern Territory as the priority destination for migrant workers to grow a depleted workforce.

Ms Fyles will also travel to the Jobs and Skills Summit with the Labor government acknowledging the need for workers to reach its goal of a $40b economy by 2030.

The government has already invested more than $12.8m to fill critical skill shortages and boost the local workforce.

However, further solutions the chief minister will raise at the summit include ensuring the Territory is prioritised for migrants and increase visa quotas for the NT.

The government also hopes to attract and retain graduates to remote areas through HECS debt reductions and address affordability of housing in regional areas.

It will also extend incentives for employers to hire and train Indigenous employees.

“We know to achieve our aim of a $40b economy by 2030 we need to have workers in the Territory,” Ms Fyles said.

“We’ve got strong programs to train our own and our apprentice numbers are at a 10 year high, but we also need to plan for that skilled workforce.

“We need to focus on job and skills opportunities for Territorians including skilled migrants and we have some great solutions to get them here.

“We have seen some schemes in isolation such as Pacific workers heading into Central Australia and we have Timor Leste as a neighbouring country which presents opportunity.

“It’s really important we don’t just come away with measures which suit the east coast, they have to suit regional and remote Australia as well.”

This also comes in the wake of a public education crisis across the NT due to a four year pay freeze which has contributed to staff shortages in the sector.

“We are currently in the bargaining process and are negotiating in good faith (with the teachers union),” Ms Fyles said.

“I certainly know the value of teachers in our schools across the NT and we will continue in good faith acknowledging the important role and good work they do.”