Migration settings critical to unlocking Territory workforce and economic growth

The Darwin Major Business Group welcomes the advocacy of Minister for International Education, Migration and Population, Robyn Cahill OAM MLA MBA, at the national Ministerial Migration Roundtable and the Territory Government‘s continued efforts to secure migration settings that better reflect the workforce needs of regional and Northern Australia.

For many years, DMBG has argued that sustainable population growth, workforce availability and economic development are inseparable. As major projects such as the Beetaloo Basin, Nolans Rare Earths, defence investments, critical minerals developments and supporting infrastructure move forward, workforce availability will increasingly become a defining factor in the Territory’s ability to capture their full economic benefits.

The Northern Territory cannot realise its growth potential without the people needed to build, operate and support these projects.

While jobs should always be prioritised for Territorians and Australians wherever possible, the reality is that the Territory continues to face workforce shortages across a range of industries and professions. A one-size-fits-all national migration framework does not adequately reflect the challenges and opportunities of developing Northern Australia.

DMBG supports the Territory Government’s call for fit-for-purpose regional migration settings that recognise workforce demand, support population growth and enable businesses to access the skills required to deliver projects of national significance.

The question is no longer whether the Territory has economic opportunities. The question is whether Australia is prepared to provide the workforce settings necessary to realise them.

Workforce, migration and population growth will be key themes advanced through DMBG’s Facing North engagement program in Canberra this September as part of a broader conversation about the future development of Northern Australia.