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This article was published on Wednesday, 16 April, 2025. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate.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.

More than 80 hard-to-fill positions have been added to the GV DAMA

The GV DAMA operates as a partnership between Greater Shepparton City Council (Council), Moira Shire Council and Campaspe Shire Council, and supports local businesses to fill positions within their organisations with skilled migrants, due to being unable to recruit Australians in various hard to fill vacancies. Since the inception of the GV DAMA in 2021, the program has proven to be very effective at enabling businesses to secure skilled migrants.

Council, who act as the Designated Area Representative (DAR), submitted a deed of variation to the DHA requesting additional positions to be included within the GV DAMA, post consultation with local businesses who outlined their priority occupations. As the DAR, Council oversee the administration of the GV DAMA, which is accessible to businesses operating within the Greater Shepparton, Moira and Campaspe local government areas.

The GV DAMA offers businesses access to a range of occupations not covered by mainstream visa programs, providing employers with greater flexibility to secure job-ready workers and address skill shortages effectively. The GV DAMA also offers a variety of concessions including salary, English language, age and provisions for permanent residency.

“This will be positive news for the local business community who will be eager to see the introduction of additional hard to fill roles being applied to the list of occupations under the GV DAMA,” Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali said.

“With the GV DAMA offering a pathway to permanent residency, overseas workers can make lasting contributions to the region, enhancing the community’s diversity while facilitating the transfer of essential skills to Australian workers.”

Cr Sali said the Goulburn Valley is a vital agricultural hub nestled between the Great Dividing Range to the south and the Murray River to the north, which also thrives in manufacturing, retail and tourism industries.

“The GV DAMA is a specialised program that enables endorsed employers to recruit migrant workers. These workers do not replace local employees; rather, they address labour shortages that have been hindering businesses in our region,” he said.

“In recent years, numerous employers have expressed challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers across various industries, which is concerning as business and industry often require staff to survive and thrive. We have many examples of businesses who have expressed their gratitude for the GV DAMA as it has prevented them from ceasing operations within our region.”

For more information regarding the GV DAMA, visit the GV DAMA website.