The Federal Government has announced significant updates to the Townsville North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (TNQ DAMA).
It includes introducing 14 new occupations, adjusting income thresholds for select occupations, and providing age and English language concessions for high-demand positions.
The TNQ DAMA, a formal agreement between the Australian Government and Townsville Enterprise, offers employers who have exhausted local recruitment options a streamlined pathway to access skilled overseas workers.
Main image – concessions have been introduced for high demand roles in North Queensland including truck drivers
It also provides enhanced pathways to permanent residency, making North Queensland an attractive destination for global talent.
Now encompassing 214 occupations, the TNQ DAMA covers the local government areas of Townsville, Charters Towers, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Flinders, Richmond, McKinlay, Cloncurry, and Mount Isa.
Townsville Enterprise chief executive officer Claudia Brumme-Smith said more than 20,000 new workers were needed across North and North-West Queensland in the next five years.
She said concessions to age, English language and income thresholds had been introduced for high-demand roles including cooks, chefs, fruit pickers, aged carers, truck drivers, childcare workers, and motor mechanics.
“Businesses across all industries have consistently voiced their challenges in attracting and retaining workers,” she said.
“The data tells us that we cannot meet the region’s projected economic growth through local workforce alone. Migration is critical to sustaining and expanding our industries.”
Queensland Senator Nita Green emphasised the government’s responsiveness to industry needs.
“In just two years, the TNQ DAMA has endorsed 480 skilled workers for Townsville North Queensland,” she said.
The latest announcement was anticipated to bring even greater success in addressing workforce shortages across key sectors, Senator Green said.