The Great South Coast Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) Australia

The Great South Coast DAMA will:

• assist key agriculture, hospitality and other businesses on the Great South Coast to fill critical employment gaps by providing access to a broader range of overseas workers than is available through the standard skilled migration programs.
• be accessible to employers in Glenelg, Moyne, Warrnambool, Corangamite, Colac Otway and Southern Grampians municipalities.

• not supplant locally available workers. For a DAMA to be approved by the Commonwealth, regions must demonstrate efforts to recruit Australians first and clearly identify labour market conditions and gaps. They must also demonstrate local support available to migrant workers; and,
• ensure the terms and conditions of employment are consistent with local remuneration practices for that occupation and meet Australian workplace laws.

The Great South Coast (Warrnambool) have added more information on DAMA requirements, including the salary rates and income threshold:

The table shows the occupations that are eligible for sponsorship under the GSC DAMA, the respective skill level, skills concessions, TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold) concessions, English language concessions and eligibility for pathway to permanent residency.

Dairy Cattle Farm Occupations

The following Occupations are not listed in ANZSCO. For the purposes of nomination application and assessment, the tasks and relevant 6-digit codes for these Occupations are outlined below:

Occupation: Dairy Cattle Farm Operator (Equivalent to ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

6-digit Code: 070499

Pastoral Award 2010 Classification Level: FLH3 (Dairy operator Grade 1B) or FLH5 (Dairy operator grade 2).

Uses their knowledge and skills to perform set procedures such as milking and attending to livestock, haymaking, and fencing. Applies knowledge and skills to multiple operations involving basic levels of problem solving and decision making. Has an appreciation of the overall processes involved in a dairy farm.

Tasks:

• Operate milking plant and equipment;
• Identify and report equipment not operating normally;
• Work co-operatively as part of a team;
• Read and record instrument information i.e. Milk vat temperatures and cow numbers; and
• Understands the principles of safe working.
• Undertake multiple functions, produce a quality outcome e.g. Farm machinery;
• Maintain machinery, undertake adjustments and size changes
• Solve problems and make decisions within given guidelines;
• Know general scientific terminology and assist with processes such as machine repair, artificial insemination, fertiliser mix design etc.;
• Operate standard measuring equipment;
• Operate computerised systems using menu options;
• Contribute to the team in a specific role, providing input and assisting other team members; and
• Work at times without supervision.

Skills, qualifications and experience: The skills, qualifications and experience for the occupation of Dairy Cattle Farm Operator are

• At least an AQF certificate II or III (or equivalent); or
• At least one (1) year of recent and relevant work experience
• A short period of on-the-job training may be required in addition to or instead of the formal qualification.

Must undergo skills assessment conducted by the relevant skills assessing authority (as specified in the labour agreement).

Occupation: Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker (Equivalent to ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

6-digit Code: 070499

Pastoral Award 2010 Classification Level: FLH7 (senior dairy operator grade 1)

Uses their knowledge and skills to coordinate the operation of a farm process or area of expertise (e.g. milking and animal attendance, pasture and farm maintenance, breeding programs and artificial insemination area.

Tasks:

• plan all aspects of milk production processes including management and coordination of milking shed routines;
• coordinate and implement reproductive programs, including artificial insemination and herd fertility management, detection of oestrous and pregnancy;
• assist in controlled breeding experiments to develop improved livestock strains;
• implement calving procedures, including the ability to physically conduct unsupervised internal assessments to minimise the incidence of still births or injuries to cow or calf;
• plan and manage pastures and crops for livestock production and develop livestock feeding plans.
• analyse produce to set and maintain standards of quality;
• supervise animal health programs, handle sick or injured animals and maintain an optimal environment for the wellbeing of livestock consistent with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Cattle;
• supervise work routines and staff performance of less experienced employees such as an assistant farmhand;
• implement and monitor quality assurance procedures, ensuring compliance and that all relevant documentation is kept current;
• operate milking plant and equipment in a safe manner, undertake multiple functions including reading and recording instrument information e.g. milk vat temperatures and cow numbers and matching cow ID to calves to produce a quality milk outcome;
• operate a dairy recycling system;
• calf feeding, including tubing colostrum;
• assisting with and/or performing irrigation works;
• inspect livestock to gauge the effectiveness of feed formulae;
• transport, handle and store chemicals; prepare and apply chemicals;
• operate farm and dairy shed-related vehicles, plant and equipment;
• identify and report equipment not operating normally; maintenance of plant and machinery;
• where appropriately qualified, perform maintenance works on sheds, fixtures and fittings, fences and surrounds and install new or replacement equipment or fittings;
• transport stock, feed and equipment, if appropriately licensed;
• maintain records to ensure accurate information for stock and inventory control;
• ensure food safety regulatory requirements are met;
  contribute to and implement Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) requirements;
• operate computer equipment and software packages requiring set-up and basic function operation;
• coordinate the response to emergencies for both Occupational Health and Safety emergencies and animal welfare emergencies;
• participate in enterprise/industry training sessions and workshops as required.

Skills, qualifications and experience: The skills, qualifications and experience for the occupation of Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker are:

• At least an AQF certificate III (or equivalent) and at least three (3) years recent and relevant work experience; or
• At least five (5) years of recent and relevant work experience

Must undergo skills assessment conducted by the relevant skills assessing authority (as specified in the labour agreement).

Great South Coast DAMA Map