"Without it, some businesses would have struggled": Warrnambool's skilled migration program has been extended another year

Warrnambool Mayor Ben Blain has described as “great news” the extension of a program that has seen hundreds of skilled migrant workers employed in the area.

Since 2019 about 600 jobs at more than 100 local businesses have been filled via the program.

"Without it, some businesses would have struggled to operate normally," Blain said. "It has been enormously beneficial for business and for the region's economy."

Known as The Great South Coast Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), the program has secured its seventh year of funding. DAMA allows regional employers to hire and potentially sponsor skilled overseas workers across 113 approved occupations. These include a wide range of occupations, from accountants and hospitality workers to medical staff and construction workers. You can see a full list of approved occupations here. 

"Through the DAMA, South West businesses and organisations have been able to fill hundreds of job vacancies at a time of labour shortages," Blain said.

The Great South Coast DAMA is one of 13 such agreements nationwide, with Victoria hosting two — the other operating in the Goulburn Valley.

The CEO of Terang-based disability support agency Cooinda, Janice Harris, said staffing challenges intensified following the National Disability Insurance Scheme rollout, prompting the agency to explore the DAMA pathway.

"Last time we advertised for roles we had over 150 applicants, a lot who were living overseas," Harris said. "While our first priority is to local people and people living in the region, we have been short-staffed and recruiting continuously for the past five or six years."

Harris said DAMA had meant, for the first time, Cooinda had “adequate staff numbers to fill our rosters”.

"It has also significantly reduced the overtime we were paying out, and the impact of work fatigue on staff," she said.

Cooinda has successfully completed 12 nominations to sponsor staff, a process Harris acknowledged can be complex. 

She said employing staff from a range of countries was adding cultural diversity to the local community.

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