Federal Government set to sign-off on new DAMA deal

Local businesses are celebrating as Canberra is set to sign-off on a long-awaited jobs deal for the Territory.

Mango pickers at Darwin Fruit Farm, Alphatonia Road Lambells Lagoon, about 45km out of Darwin

The commonwealth government has agreed to a substantial increase in the number of places available in the long-awaited third round of the Designated Area Migration Agreement.

The new agreement, to be signed at the Northern Territory’s legislative assembly on Wednesday morning, has almost 1000 additional places more than the previous DAMA.

Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill has made the trip to Darwin for the highly sought-after signing ceremony, which will come months later than Territory industry leaders had originally hoped for.

Hospitality NT’s Cathy Simmonds, Master Builders NT’s Damian Moriarty and Motor Trades’ Association’s Matt Hobbs last month joined forces to urge the commonwealth to sign the agreement.

Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill with Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour and Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy.

The second DAMA expired last December and key industry groups have been sweating on the new deal being inked, with concerns an election called last week could have prevented its renewal.

But Territory industry has come out on top in the latest agreement, with 1500 approved nominations per year for overseas workers on a Skills in Demand or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, up from 625 a year under the previous agreement.

The new agreement to facilitate overseas workers under the DAMA will last five years until June 30, 2030.

During the life of the agreement up to 7500 employees will be able to work within the agreement over 325 occupations, compared to just 135 under the previous agreement.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling.

Occupations added under the agreement include civil construction and site supervisor, electrical motor repairer or winder and hospitality worker.

Mr Hill said the DAMA renewal would create workforce certainty across the life of the agreement.

“Skilled migration and migrant workers are absolutely critical to the Northern Territory’s economy,” Mr Hill said.

“Attracting great people to the Territory and making sure they stay - in places like Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs - is what the DAMA is all about.

“The DAMA is the legal foundation for this to happen and I’m really pleased to sign it on behalf of the Albanese Labor Government.

“Making sure people of all cultural backgrounds have appropriate social infrastructure and cultural activities to encourage them to stay long term is also key to the DAMA’s success, and the government is investing in the Territory’s multicultural communities to make this happen.”

Solomon MP Luke Gosling welcomed the increased rollout of workers.

“The Albanese Labor Government continues to support the skilled migration needs of the Territory and assisting employers in the Territory to address their workforce challenges,” Mr Gosling said.

“This is great news for Territory employers and businesses. More workers, more occupations and an agreement for five years.”

Minister for International Education, Migration and Population Robyn Cahill said DAMA III would provide greater access to migrants and streamlined process for people wanting to live and stay in the NT.

“Territory businesses experiencing critical skill shortages will now have access to more places and more occupations under the new and improved DAMA III,” she said.

Originally published as Federal Government set to sign-off on new DAMA deal