Submissions made on behalf of the Northern RDA Alliance
2024-25 Permanent Migration Program (December 2023)
In December 2023, the Northern RDA Alliance (NRDAA) submitted recommendations to the Department of Home Affairs on Australia’s 2024-25 Permanent Migration Program. The submission highlighted the ongoing workforce shortages across Northern Australia, particularly in trades, health, childcare, community services, and key support roles critical to regional economies.
The Alliance called for increased Visa Nomination Caps for Northern Australia, targeted visa concessions for semi-skilled roles, streamlined application processes, and stronger international partnerships to attract workers and their families to the North. The submission emphasised the need for flexible migration policy settings that reflect the unique labour market challenges faced by Northern Australia’s remote and regional communities.
Permanent Migration Program 2023
Workforce Development in Northern Australia (March 2023)
In March 2023, the Northern RDA Alliance (NRDAA) submitted a comprehensive response to the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia’s Inquiry into Workforce Development. The submission highlighted key challenges facing Northern Australia, including infrastructure gaps, workforce attraction and retention, procurement barriers, and the need for culturally appropriate Indigenous employment pathways.
Drawing on extensive regional case studies, the Alliance advocated for more flexible qualifications, improved digital connectivity, better procurement processes to support SMEs, investment in social infrastructure, and tailored support for Indigenous employment and training programs. The submission strongly emphasised the need for policy frameworks that reflect the unique realities of Northern Australia’s remote, regional and Indigenous communities.
Inquiry into Commonwealth Grants Administration (October 2022)
In October 2022, the Northern RDA Alliance (NRDAA) made a submission to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit’s Inquiry into Commonwealth Grants Administration. Drawing on extensive experience with regional funding programs, the Alliance recommended a return to a two-stage assessment process for regional development grants.
This approach would better incorporate local knowledge, reduce application costs for resource-poor organisations, and improve assessment efficiency. The NRDAA highlighted how this model, successfully used during the Regional Development Australia Fund, can strengthen the integrity, fairness, and effectiveness of grant funding across Northern Australia.
NDRRA Questions on Notice – SERC Inquiry into the Governance and Operations of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) – March 2018
This submission was made to the Senate Economic Reference Committee Inquiry into the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.
Please click on the link below to read our submission –
SERC Inquiry into the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility – March 2018
National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities
This submission was made to the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development on the national freight and supply chain strategy to inform the development of the strategy and determine how to best life the productivity and efficiency of Australia’s freight supply chain. The Terms of Reference for this inquiry can be found at https://infrastructure.gov.au/transport/freight/files/Terms_of_Reference.pdf
Please click on the link below to read our submission –
Inquiry into National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities
Opportunities and Methods for Stimulating the Tourism Industry in Northern Australia
This supplementary submission was made to the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia to inquire into and report on opportunities and methods for, and impediments and challenges to stimulating the tourism industry in Northern Australia. The Terms of Reference for this inquiry can be found at https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Northern_Australia/TourismIndustry/Terms_of_Reference.
Please click on the link below to read our submission –
Supplementary Submission to the JSCNA Inquiry
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility
This submission was made to the Senate Economics References Committee into the Governance and operation of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. The Terms of Reference for this inquiry can be found at http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Economics/NAIF/Terms_of_Reference
Please click on the link below to read our submission –
Governance and operation of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility