Santa Claus’s increased global Christmas workload has resulted in the establishment of an Australian operation and signing a labour agreement with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

The labour agreement will allow his workforce of highly skilled elves to enter the country, establish operations and train Australian elves.

“Santa approached the department to find out what was the best way of getting his elves to join him this Christmas in Australia to help with his duties,” a DIAC spokesman said.

“Elves are not on the list of approved occupations for the subclass 457 visa, permanent employer nomination scheme or regional sponsored migration scheme but Mr Claus was able to establish there was a genuine shortage of qualified elves here.

“As a result, he negotiated a labour agreement which has been specifically tailored to allow this special group of workers into the country.

“He was delighted that there was a chance to enter into a flexible arrangement to suit his labour needs where it was obvious a shortage existed in what is a very specific skill set.”

A record number of labour agreements have been entered into this year with employers appreciating the flexibility they offer, including the fact a specific number of workers can enter the country on a temporary or permanent basis to meet demonstrated skills shortages.

To become a party to a labour agreement, employers must, like Santa, satisfy DIAC and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) that the requirements of the labour agreement can be met. Key stakeholders must be consulted: in Santa’s case this included the Australian Elves’ Union.

“Santa was also able to ensure his overseas recruitment of elves did not affect long-term improvement of employment opportunities for Australians, which is a key element of any labour agreement,” the spokesman said. “He must, like all employers who are party to a labour agreement, contribute to the training of Australians and pay market salary rates.”