Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Wednesday, 12 February, 2020. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Visa options for employing workers including Designated Area Migrant Agreements for Greater Shepparton

The visa information workshops hosted by Council and supported by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), will provide employers with detailed information on employing migrants. The workshops will be followed by industry specific discussions regarding the potential for a Designated Area Migrant Agreement (DAMA) for the Goulburn Valley and what it could mean for the region.

A Designated Area Migrant Agreement sees a certain number of migrants able to work fulltime in the region for a certain period, with the ability to apply for permanent residency after four years, at the earliest.

The first workshop in Shepparton will kick off at 9.30am on 13 March 2020 and will focus on health, transport, manufacturing and other industry. This will be followed by a 12.30pm session on the same day, focussed on horticulture and the broader agriculture industry. The agriculture session will also feature information on the new Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement recently introduced by the Federal Government.

“These workshops aim to support local businesses by providing up-to-date information in relation to visa options, and will include industry specific discussions in relation to the DAMA,” Acting Director Sustainable Development Colin Kalms said.

“It is critical for Council – before progressing with the next stage of the DAMA process – to receive commitment from industry that a DAMA is going to be of assistance to them, and that they will make use of a DAMA if it is available within the Goulburn Valley.”

The workshops will be held at the Parklake in Function Room 1, 481 Wyndham Street, Shepparton.

Registrations are essential and can be made here.

Separate sessions are being held jointly by Campaspe and Moira Shires in partnership with DHA in Cobram on the 12 March 2020.

More information in relation to those workshops can be found here or by contacting Karen Abberfield, Economic Development Officer at Moira Shire on (03) 5871 9222.