The new Resources Sector Jobs Board goes live today to help Australians make the most of employment opportunities in the mining boom, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, and the Minister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis, announced today.

The Jobs Board is part of the Australian JobSearch website and would allow people to apply for resource sector jobs, including those covered by Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs).

The Gillard Government is committed to ensuring Australian job seekers from all parts of the country have every opportunity to find work in the resources sector.

We are committed to putting Australian jobs first.

The EMA program provides for overseas workers to fill skills shortages on mega resource projects, and the Jobs Board will be an important part of identifying those shortages.

Companies and contractors recruiting overseas workers through EMAs will be required to use the Jobs Board to demonstrate that suitably qualified Australians are given the first opportunity to apply for available jobs.

The Government will take into account the use of the Jobs Board when assessing EMA applications, including the number and skills of Australian job seekers registered with the board.

This Government understands resources companies’ concerns that they may not be able to meet demand on all projects without using some temporary overseas workers.

The Roy Hill project, the first EMA holder, will be required to use the Jobs Board to recruit workers when they commence construction of the mine.

As announced, these agreements will include commitments in relation to the use of the Jobs Board and project-specific training commitments for Australians, which will be monitored by DIAC in consultation with other government agencies.

We don’t want to miss out on these mega projects and the new jobs they create, but we are also determined to spread the benefits of the mining boom. Ensuring Australians are given first crack at resources jobs is a major part of that commitment.

The Government recognises the constructive collaboration of industry in setting up the Jobs Board and notes available positions have already been provided for interested applicants to check.

The board will also display related vacancies sourced by employment services providers, including Job Services Australia (JSA) providers.

The Jobs Board complements other programs and services, including relocation assistance, already available through JSA to help Australians into work.

The free service provides practical features for job seekers and employers including:
•Workforce and recruitment advice;
•Information on government services available;
•The ability to track applications online; and
•A registration function allowing job seekers to record their qualifications and skills that can be searched by employers through the site.

The Resources Sector Jobs Board is available at www.jobsearch.gov.au/resourcesectorjobs and is supported by a Job Seeker Hotline (13 62 68), Employer Hotline (13 17 15) and email enquiries (jobsearch@deewr.gov.au).