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Labour Agreements

A Labour Agreement allows employers to nominate and recruit a specified number of workers from overseas in response to identified or emerging skills shortages that are not able to be met from within the Northern Territory labour market.

Labour Agreements are a formal arrangement negotiated between the Commonwealth and the employer. Other interested parties like unions may also be included in negotiations on labour agreements. The Northern Territory Government can assist employers with labour agreements to meet their ongoing skilled labour market needs

Under the standard criteria for a labour agreement nominees must:

• Have the qualifications, skills and experience specified in the agreement
• Have good English language skills
• Be able to meet mandatory licensing, registration or professional membership requirements
• Be under 45 years of age
• Meet mandatory health and character requirements.

Employers need to address the following criteria:

• The nomination is in accordance with the relevant labour agreement
• The vacancy falls within the agreed ceiling for the agreement
• Terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with the agreement and comply with the relevant industrial relation standards and awards.
• Nominees are below 45 years of age
• Qualifications and skills of nominees are consistent with the terms of the labour agreement.

Employers who are interested in accessing a Labour Agreement should contact the Labour Agreement Section for information on how to prepare a Labour Agreement submission.
Email: Labour.Agreement.Section@immi.gov.au

If the employer and employee are eligible, willing and able to meet their obligations under the Labour Agreement, they can commence the 3-step application process.

Step 1 - Employer requests to access a Labour Agreement

The employer must make a request to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to access a Labour Agreement. DIAC and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) will consider the request to access the agreement before negotiation between the parties to the agreement.

Step 2 - Employer nominates the positions

After the agreement has been signed by all parties, the employer must nominate the positions to be filled.

Step 3 - Employee applies for a visa

The employees must apply for a visa to be allowed to work in Australia.

 

For temporary positions the nomination form used is the Form 1196 'Sponsoring temporary overseas employees to Australia' .

For permanent positions the nomination form used is the Form 1192 'Employer nomination for a permanent appointment' .

These nomination forms are available from the:

• The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website (www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/la/)
• DIAC offices
• Northern Territory Department of Business and Employment.

 

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