GREAT SOUTHERN WORKFORCE NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY 2025

Welcome to the Workforce Needs Assessment Survey.

The Survey takes only 15 minutes to complete and we appreciate you taking the time to answer all the questions provided.

All responses will be kept confidential, with all data being used in aggregate so that responses cannot be identified.

Question Title

* 1. Which Great Southern local government area(s) is your business operating in?

City of Albany

Shire of Broomehill - Tambellup

Shire of Cranbrook

Shire of Denmark

Shire of Gnowangerup

Shire of Jerramungup

Shire of Katanning

Shire of Kent

Shire of Kojonup

Shire of Plantagent

Shire of Ravensthorpe

Shire of Woodanilling

The whole Great Southern region.

Question Title

* 2. Which industry does your business operate in?

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

Mining

Manufacturing

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services

Construction

Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Accommodation and Food Services

Transport, Postal and Warehousing

Information Media and Telecommunications

Financial and Insurance Services

Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

Administrative and Support Services

Public Administrative and Safety

Education and Training

Health Care and Social Assistance

Arts and Recreation Services

Other services (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. How many employees do you have today?

200 or more employees

20 - 199 employees

5 - 19 employees

0 - 4 employees

Question Title

* 4. Does your business experience worker shortages?

Yes, right now.

Not now but expecting worker shortages in the near future.

No, we do not experience worker shortages.

Question Title

* 5. What occupations are you finding most difficult to recruit for?

Question Title

* 6. Which are the recruitment challenges faced by your business?

The employment package is not sufficient enough to encourage relocation to the Great Southern.

Job applicant does not have suitable skills and experience for the role.

Lack of accommodation in regional, rural, remote areas.

Demand for flexible work options.

Lack of digital literacy.

Competition for candidates from other industries such as mining and/or the metropolitan areas.

Lack of childcare, health amenities and other social services in the Great Southern

Lack of training resources and career progression opportunities.

Lack of English language competency

Other challenges (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. Which strategies has your business used to try to fill the worker shortages?

Employed students, trainees or apprentices.

Used recruitment platforms: recruitment agency, Workforce Australia.

Offered 'cost of living' benefits (vehicle use, phone, utilities).

Offered accommodation.

Trained existing staff

Hired less qualified applicant.

Outsourced work to off-site / 'working from home' workers (where possible).

Increased advertising in print, online, word-of-mouth or social media methods.

FIFO arrangements

Delayed projects.

Reduced services

Scaled down operations.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. What visa programs would your business consider to fill worker shortages?

None.

Western Australia Designated Area Migration Agreement.

Connect with skilled migrants through the WA Government's Skilled Migrant Employment Register (SMER).

Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALMS) program.

Temporary or permanent Employer Sponsored Skilled Visas.

Working Holiday Visas.

Student and Temporary Graduate Visas.

Others (eg. New Zealand citizens, dependents / partner or family visa holders).

Question Title

* 9. What are the challenges of utilizing existing visa programs to meet your skills shortage needs?

Too slow to be responsive to business needs.

Requirements are too high for the migrant worker.

Visa programs are too expensive.

Overseas skills and qualifications do not align with local industry standards or expectations.

They are too temporary a solution.

Visa process is too complicated for small enterprises to use.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. If there was an initiative in the Great Southern that would help your business attract and retain employees, what would it be?

Question Title

* 11. What are the most important occupations for your business over the next five (5) years?

Type of occupation and the number of workers required.

Question Title

* 12. Which training delivery modes would be most effective for your business?

On the job training.

Short courses at TAFE / training providers.

Apprenticeship.

Partnership with education / training providers to help design courses that better meet industry needs.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 13. Do you have any other comments, questions, or concerns about your workforce needs?

Question Title

* 14. Would you like to be informed by RDA Great Southern on matters relating to skilled migration?

No thanks.

IF Yes, please provide your business name, contact name and email address.

Thank you for your valuable time in completing this Survey.

If you have any questions about this Survey or about skilled migration, you can contact our Research Officer on research@rdagreatsouthern.com.au .