Government’s workforce strategy targeting the world’s best and brightest

Sun chasers contribute millions every year to the NT economy. Read why else they come.

The mindset of backpackers arriving in Australia is turning away from the major cities in favour of the regions due in part to targeted immigration schemes like the DAMA.

The Designated Area Migration Agreements provide a pathway for skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers into Australia to work in specific regional areas facing labour shortages.

The scheme has delivered thousands of workers to the Territory since it was first signed in 2015 and there was understandable panic from within various NT industry sectors earlier this year when its re-signing was delayed.

Normal service was resumed just before the federal election was called when the Commonwealth recommitted to the scheme.

Welsh backpacker Kayleigh Davies, reception manager at Melaleuca on Mitchell, said the DAMAs had shifted the attention of British backpackers out of the major centres onto the regions.

Lauren White (right) assistant manager Melaleuca on Mitchell and Kayleigh Davies, reception manager.

Part of a generation of young British people chasing the southern sun, she was on one of the first aircraft into Australia when Covid restrictions lifted and took up an option in Darwin on her pathway towards permanent residency.

“I chase the sun so I think Darwin is the best place for me,” Kayleigh said.

“It’s very rainy in Wales and it’s just the Aussie dream because the lifestyle’s really good. I think that’s why everyone wants out of that side of the world.

“This is my third Dry Season in Darwin and the increase in backpackers being sponsored is really good to see. Previously people didn’t really have it in mind to come to places like Darwin, Cairns or Adelaide, but I think with the new agreement it’s definitely opened up opportunities and people aren’t thinking of Sydney or Melbourne now, they’re looking at other areas of Australia.

“For me the lifestyle is really relaxed in Darwin and we’re so close to Asia as well, so it’s opened up a different network. It’s very affordable to live in Darwin too. I used to live in Sydney and it was a bit of a struggle. It’s not spoken about enough.”

Hospitality NT chief executive Cathy Simmonds knows the importance of the backpacker workforce.

Born near Glasgow, Melaleuca on Mitchell assistant manager Lauren White also migrated south for the climate and lifestyle.

“Generally people who come to Australia chase the sun, so people are in Darwin in the dry season,” she said.

“When it comes into winter and people are considering doing certain regional work for their visa requirements, people say ‘why don’t you go up to Darwin? It’s sunny, there’s loads of events and hospitality work’, and that’s quite a good pill for people.”

Hospitality NT chief executive Cathy Simmonds, one of the industry leaders concerned earlier this year when the DAMA re-signing was delayed, has no doubts about the importance of backpackers to the NT’s hospitality sector.

“The hospitality industry here in the Territory relies on backpackers to keep our kitchens and bars running,” she said.

“We depend on international workers to fill critical labour gaps, support regional tourism and bring and energy and diversity to our venues.

Business Minister Robyn Cahill said backpackers are welcome. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“These workers don’t just fill jobs - they spend locally, travel widely and become ambassadors for the Territory both interstate and back home.”

The CLP Government committed $2 million over two years in the NT Budget to attract workers and international students to grow both the population and our economy.

Business Minister Robyn Cahill said the funding would deliver skilled migration programs,

worker attraction and retention activities, ensure timely processing of visa applications,

and fund international education marketing and program delivery to attract and retain international workers and students.

In a strategic first, the NT Government is trialling online seminars, allowing more accessibility for industry to join the promotional showcase, as well as more flexibility for attendees to join online.

Ms Cahill urged Territory employers to log their jobs on WorkerConnect so their vacancies could be discovered by jobseekers.

“Workers from the UK, Ireland and South Africa are some of our top targets for workers in the health, hospitality and engineering sectors,” Ms Cahill said.

“We know that many workers will bring families to the Territory, and there are also opportunities for spouses as we look to grow our population.”

The UK, Ireland and South African information sessions were part of the Global Worker Attraction program which is designed to raise the profile of the Northern Territory and promote it as a desirable place to live and work.

Territory employers can post their vacancies for free on the WorkerConnect at Jobs in Australia’s Northern Territory at workerconnect.com.au

Originally published as Government’s workforce strategy targeting the world’s best and brightest