Using Migration Programs to Help Ease Workforce Shortages

As we enter into another year in the post-pandemic era, workforce shortages continue to be the number one issue facing Territory businesses. While border restrictions and mandates may be a thing of the past, businesses are still unable to rely on Working Holiday Makers and other temporary visa holders to the same extent. This has seen an increased demand for regional migration programs such as the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program and the NT Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA), which enable overseas skilled workers to live and work in the NT with a pathway to permanent residency.

MigrationNT within the NT Government’s Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade has carriage of skilled and business migration programs in the NT and assists NT employers with information on accessing various visa pathways to fill vacancies with overseas workers. The team also conducts dedicated information sessions for employers across the NT and engages with industry throughout the year.

MigrationNT issues nominations for overseas skilled workers, which enable them to apply for permanent (subclass 190) or 5-year (subclass 491) visa under the GSM program. These visas do not tie the worker to an employer, but they are nominated on the basis of a demonstrated commitment to live and work in the NT on a long-term basis. MigrationNT opened for offshore applications in September 2023, targeting experienced overseas workers in high priority occupations, those who have job offers with NT employers and those who have family support in the NT. Motor Mechanic is a high priority occupation, and overseas skilled workers in this occupation are well positioned for a subclass 491 visa nomination.

The NT DAMA is an increasingly popular program that enables NT employers to sponsor overseas workers to fill vacancies where the demand cannot be met locally, and offers concessions to some of the standard visa requirements such as English language level, age and skills. Sponsored workers can access a temporary visa with pathway to permanent residency and are bound by visa conditions to remain employed with their sponsoring employer for the visa duration of 4 or 5 years. Eligible occupations in the motor trades industry include Motor Mechanic, Diesel Motor Mechanic, Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter, Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter and Panelbeater. NT employers who wish to provide feedback on the occupations list are encouraged to engage with the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT to inform their labour market analysis which in turn influences the occupations list for the NT DAMA.

While it is pleasing to note that the Australian Government has made significant inroads into clearing the backlog of visa applications, MigrationNT continues to advocate for greater concessions to make it easier for NT employers to access overseas skilled workers to ease workforce shortages.

NT employers are welcome to contact the team at MigrationNT with any queries relating to migration program. We can be reached by phone on 8999 5264 or email: migration@nt.gov.au.