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Four years ago, automotive mechanic Shehroz Fayyaz started his new life in Warrnambool.
Originally from Karachi in Pakistan, he had most recently worked in Dubai before moving to Warrnambool through the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).
The agreement helps regional employers address critical workforce shortages by providing access to skilled overseas workers in occupations that cannot be filled locally.
With support from his employer, Norton Motor Group, Mr Fayyaz settled into his new workplace and completed further training, progressing from vehicle servicing to general repairs.
After spending his first year in Warrnambool alone, he was joined by his wife and daughter, who is now seven.
Mr Fayyaz said his family was enjoying life in Warrnambool.
“We just like roaming around. My daughter really likes walking in the city centre,” he said.
“It’s a good city, the coastal areas, I like it very much. Australians have been really welcoming, especially my neighbours.”
To help make the settlement process easier for new migrants, the Great South Coast councils have launched a new online settlement guide.
Developed by the Warrnambool City, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac-Otway, Glenelg and Southern Grampians councils, the website brings together trusted information in one place, covering housing, healthcare, education, employment, transport, community groups, emergency services, recreation and everyday life.
Norton Motor Group Service Manager James Norton said the DAMA had proved successful for the business, and this new website would help his new employees feel more comfortable and connected in the region.
“The DAMA has been really successful for us. We would have had 10 to 12 over the years and eight of them are still with us, which is really good,” he said.
“You spend a lot of time with them, which is a good thing, but having this new resource is going to be great for us so that they can land on their feet and get settled as quickly as possible.
“When they get settled quickly, they’re going to be better at work and also more likely to stay for a long period of time, and that’s what we want.”
Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said the initiative recognised that attracting skilled workers to regional Victoria was only part of the solution.
“We were the first region in Victoria to establish a DAMA in partnership with the Australian Government, and since 2019 we’ve seen skilled workers move to the region to fill critical shortages in key areas,” he said.
“If new arrivals can settle in and feel part of the community, then they’re more likely to stay for the long term.
“The website has been set up with migrants in mind, but realistically it’s a handy resource for anyone moving to the region looking to connect with services and groups.”
The Great South Coast settlement guide is available at www.gscsettlement.com.au.