A special migration agreement that will see up to 500 people a year sponsored to live and work in the Goldfields to tackle the region’s severe labour shortage was signed today.

The Morrison Government signed the Designated Area Migration Agreement with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, with 500 people a year covering 73 occupations to be sponsored — making the Goldfields one of the first regions in the country to enter a five-year deal with the Commonwealth.

The new arrangements will assist a range of industries including mining, engineering, construction, childcare and health among others helping to drive economic growth and fill critical employment gaps.

City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder chief executive John Walker said the DAMA would offer a solution to ongoing skills shortages and the estimated 1500 job vacancies in the Goldfields region.

“The City welcomes the Federal Government’s support and believes a DAMA will encourage skilled migrants to come work and reside in regional WA,” he said.

“We are very pleased to see this five-year labour agreement between the Shires of Coolgardie, Leonora and Menzies and the City with the Federal Government, with the strong support of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Regional Development Australia Goldfields-Esperance come to fruition.”

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said the Federal Government was working to address the skills needs of regional Australia.

“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,” he said.

“We have seen the success of the DAMA arrangement in the Northern Territory and the Government is committed to supporting the skills needs of regional Australia where Australian workers are not available to fill those jobs.”

Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson said the agreement would see more families moving to the Goldfields, which would have a flow-on effect on the region’s economy.

“The Goldfields has suffered from a skilled workforce shortage for too long which is having a negative impact on the entire community,” he said.