The contents of this article are correct as at 13 May 2011.
The government is proposing to introduce an initiative in 2011-2012 that will bring together employers, local and state government and unions to cooperate on addressing local labour needs.
Regional Migration Agreements (RMAs) will be custom-designed, geographically based migration arrangements that set out the occupations and numbers of overseas workers needed in the area.
Concessional access to semi-skilled overseas workers will be negotiated where there is a demonstrable and critical need.
Each RMA will be negotiated between the Government and representatives of the local area. Individual local employers will then directly sponsor workers under the terms of the RMA.
A strong focus of RMAs will be fostering training initiatives for Australians. Communities will be expected to demonstrate innovative strategies to train local workers to meet future skill needs.
Individual employers who sponsor overseas workers under an RMA-associated labour agreement will be required to demonstrate investment in the training of local workers.
Eligibility requirements will be forthcoming after further consultation has occurred in the new financial year.
If you have any questions about these initiatives, please click this link to contact Visa Lawyers Australia.