From cooks to family day care workers to motor mechanics, low skilled migrants will now be able to apply for Australia’s permanent residency.

Northern Territory has opened its door to skilled migrants in 117 occupations and has offered a pathway to permanent residency to these workers who are willing to work and live in the region for at least three years.

In a bid to distribute the migrant population outside Australia’s major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, the Australian government has designed a new scheme to attract migrants to regional areas across the country.

The scheme – known as the Designation Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)s has been announced for two regions in Australia – Warrnambool region in Victoria and the Northern Territory which are experiencing labour shortages and need a population boost.

The second-such agreement for NT, this time with a pathway to permanent residency, DAMA II came into effect on January 1st 2019.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Mr David Coleman said DAMA II is an example of the Government using Australia’s migration program to benefit specific locations.

“The Government is working to improve our immigration program to better match the needs of our states, territories and regional areas,” Mr Coleman said.

“Our first priority is always to fill jobs with Australians, but the immigration system can play an important role in helping to address regional skills gaps.

“The NT has seen first-hand the benefits of using a DAMA to respond to their unique workforce shortages.

“I am pleased that we can continue to partner with the NT Government to support the skills needs of local businesses where Australian workers are not available to fill those jobs.”

The NT Government and the Federal Government have shortlisted 117 occupations ranging from accountants to child care worker to chef to web designer, where employers can recruit skilled migrants if they are unable to fill positions locally.

Many occupations on the list are eligible for English language concession and a Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) concession. Check if your occupation is on the list, here.

NT DAMA II Occupation List

Occupations
Accountant (General)
Accounts Clerk
Aeroplane Pilot
Aged or Disabled Carer
Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
Aquaculture Farmer
Arborist
Automotive Electrician
Baker
Bar Attendant Supervisor
Barista
Beauty Therapist
Beef Cattle Farmer
Bookkeeper
Bus Driver
Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
Cabinetmaker
Cabler (Data and Telecommunications)
Cafe or Restaurant Manager
Carpenter
Chef
Chief Executive or Managing Director
Child Care Centre Manager
Child Care Worker
Civil Engineering Technician
Community Worker
Conference and Event Organiser
Cook
Cook (includes Ethnic Cuisine)
Crowd Controller
Customer Service Manager
Deck Hand
Dental Assistant
Diesel Motor Mechanic
Disabilities Services Officer
Diver
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
Earth Science Technician
Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
Electrical Linesworker
Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General)
Excavator Operator
Facilities Manager
Family Day Care Worker
Family Support Worker
Fitter (General)
Fitter and Turner
Fitter-Welder
Floor Finisher
Flying Instructor
Forklift Driver
Fruit or Nut Grower
Gaming Worker
Hair or Beauty Salon Manager
Hairdresser
Hardware Technician
Hotel or Motel Manager
Hotel or Motel Receptionist
Hotel Service Manager
ICT Customer Support Officer 
ICT Support Technicians nec
Interpreter
Landscape Gardener
Licensed Club Manager
Linemarker
Management Accountant
Marketing Specialist
Metal Fabricator
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer
Mixed Crop Farmer
Mixed Livestock Farmer
Motor Mechanic (General)
Motor Vehicle or Caravan Salesperson
Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General)
Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter
Motorcycle Mechanic
Nursing Support Worker
Office Manager
Out of School Hours Care Worker
Panelbeater
Personal Care Assistant
Pharmacy Technician
Plumber (General)
Pressure Welder
Program or Project Administrator
Property Manager
Recreation Officer
Residential Care Worker
Retail Manager (General)
Retail Supervisor
Sales and Marketing Manager
Sheetmetal Trades Worker
Ship’s Engineer
Ship’s Master
Small Engine Mechanic
Sound Technician
Supply and Distribution Manager
Taxation Accountant
Telecommunications Cable Jointer
Telecommunications Linesworker
Telecommunications Technician
Therapy Aide
Tour Guide
Truck Driver (General)
Vegetable Grower
Vehicle Painter
Veterinary Nurse
Waiter Supervisor
Waste Water or Water Plant Operator
Web Administrator 
Web Designer
Welder (First Class)
Welfare Worker
Youth Worker

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the addition of the pathway to permanent residency in DAMA II gave skilled migrants a big incentive to move to the NT and stay long-term.

“The Territory Labor Government’s number one priority is jobs for Territorians but we know access to, and retention of, a suitably skilled workforce is a key issue for many employers and there is a need for additional workers, Mr Gunner said.

“We also know that more people moving to the Territory equals more jobs.

“The Territory Labor Government fought hard for the inclusion of the pathway to permanent residency in this new five-year agreement, which we expect to significantly increase the number of skilled migrants moving to the Territory.

“The NT has a long and proud history of migration of overseas nationals and they have been a key contributor to economic growth, population growth and social diversity. This new agreement will help that continue.”

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