Approval Of Designated Area Migration Agreement For Griffith Welcome News

Griffith City Council has welcomed news that the Department of Home Affairs has approved a variation to the Orana Designated Area Migration (DAMA) to now include Griffith.

DAMAs play a crucial role in facilitating skilled migration by tailoring a specialised skilled occupation list and providing employers with concessions on age limits, English proficiency tests, and salary criteria.

The Orana DAMA represents a partnership between Regional Development - Riverina RDA Orana and the Australian Government, allowing employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers for positions they struggle to fill locally.

Initially covering central Northern NSW, including Dubbo, the Orana DAMA has now expanded to include the Riverina region, incorporating Griffith.

Griffith City Mayor, Doug Curran said Griffith’s inclusion in the Orana DAMa will go a long way in alleviating workforce shortages.

“This is significant for major local employers such as Casella Family Brands and Proten,” Mayor Doug Curran said.

“These companies have faced challenges in recruiting cellar hands and skilled farmhands, respectively.

“I thank all those who have lobbied to make this happen and urge businesses to find out more as soon as possible.

“I especially want to call out and thank the Griffith Business Chamber who have been huge advocates for this program.

“We have much more work to do, especially in regards to housing these potential new employees but we are working collaboratively on that issue also.”

Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton said the expansion was great news for rural and remote NSW.

“We desperately need more health and education professionals, especially doctors and nurses, in this region, as well as skilled workers to fill positions that employers are currently unable to,” Ms Dalton said.

A tireless advocate for changes to the visa allocation system, Ms Dalton believes the variation will assist in business, industry, social services and communities in the region’s productivity and growth.

“This change in eligibility for migration to the regions comes as welcome news as rural, remote and regional NSW struggles with workforce shortages,” Ms Dalton said.

A DAMA is a formal agreement with Regional Development Australia, Orana and the Australian Government, to provide access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program.

The updated skilled occupations list now boasts an additional 64 professions, bringing the total to 129, further enhancing the opportunities for skilled migration and workforce diversity in Griffith and its surrounding regions.

The expanded DAMA is in place for 12 months – until April 3, 2025, with employers urged to contact info@rdariverina.org.au for more information.

To view eligible occupations: www.rdaorana.org.au/migration/dama/dama-occupations-list/.

• Topics:

• Local Council
• Employment & Training
• Agriculture & Farming
• Immigration