02 Sep 2011
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today announced the release of the submission guidelines for Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMA), to assist project owners and prime contractors on eligible resources projects.
The guidelines contain all the necessary information for those who wish to make a submission for an EMA. The agreements are a new migration initiative that will allow major resource projects to gain access to overseas skilled workers for genuine vacancies that cannot be filled from the Australian skilled labour market.
“Now that the submission guidelines have been released, eligible projects will be able to make submissions for access to an EMA,” a departmental spokesman said.
“The agreements are available to resource projects which have been approved by the relevant state or territory government with capital expenditure of more than $2 billion and with a peak workforce of more than 1500 workers.”
The spokesman said the EMA program would ensure that skills shortages do not put constraints on major resource projects and jeopardise Australian jobs.
"Access to overseas skilled workers will ensure the workforce needs of major resource projects are met, realising the economic and employment benefits of the projects,” the spokesman said.
“Overseas workers will only be supplementary, with resources projects required to demonstrate effective and ongoing local recruitment and training efforts.”
The policy settings in the guidelines reflect extensive consultation with relevant industry, unions and government stakeholders.
The department has committed to negotiating the agreements within three months from the time a project owner submits a complete request.
To download a copy of the submission guidelines, visit: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/enterprise-migration-agreements.htm.
For further information or enquiries email: ema@immi.gov.au.
Media Enquiries: National Communications 02 6264 2244
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