When Dale Adamson arrived in outback Queensland a little over 12 months ago he was captivated by burnt-orange sunsets and the breezy bush attitude.
After 38 years as a surveyor, it was not hard to imagine a thriving future for his business.
National surveyor workforce shortages are wreaking havoc on outback businesses. (Supplied: Dale Adamson)
Surveyors play a crucial role in every built environment across the globe — laying the groundwork for projects such as homes, airports, roads, and bridges.
Mr Adamson said moving the 1,700 kilometres from Brisbane to Cloncurry and investing in a region expected to boom with new major infrastructure and mining felt like the right fit.
But a national skills shortage has exacerbated the struggle to attract surveyors out west and, without a workforce, Mr Adamson's dream will come to a screeching halt.
"The best I could get was someone who was prepared to come up for $220,000 a year, on two weeks on, two weeks off," he said.
"That meant I had to find someone for the remaining two weeks of the month and spend over $400,000 for a crew. I just can't afford it.
"So, I looked abroad."
Seeking international skills at a cost
Many regional Australian businesses rely on international workers to address staffing shortages, but strict rules apply.
Mr Adamson sought advice from an immigration lawyer to pursue the subclass 400 short-stay specialist visa.
Mr Adamson loves the region but says he can't sustain his small business without help. (Supplied: Dale Adamson)
The category grants a visa for up to six months for a worker to complete highly specialised jobs with skills that are not readily available in Australia.
"Being regional, being a professional skill shortage, I not only tick all the boxes, I exceed all the federal government's requirements. But twice now it's been rejected," Mr Adamson said.
"They [the worker] tick the box and still it was declined within 24 hours.
"It's been nine months and I still don't have a reason why."
His application in August for a worker from Zimbabwe, seen by the ABC, shows the Australian High Commission in South Africa refused the visa on the basis there was no economic incentive to depart Australia at the end of the visa period.
Research commissioned by the peak industry body in 2023 highlights the skill shortage is worsening. (Supplied: Surveyors Australia)
Mr Adamson said he was "boggled" by the decision after investing more than $12,000 in the process.
"I'm a professional and trying to get staff over here so I can commit to contracts, I just can't do it," he said.
"I'm very disappointed, I'm gutted actually, and I've really only got until early next year to find workers or I'll be closing up shop."
'There's no accountability'
Research conducted by industry body Surveyors Australia, based on 2021 Census data, found the number of visa grants nationally had plateaued since 2015.
Surveyors Australia chief executive Michelle Blicavs said with demands for infrastructure there was a dire need to attract more surveyors from wherever possible.
"It's always our preference to train up young surveyors in our own home towns. But sometimes, when the projects are immediate, we need immediate skills," Ms Blicavs said.
"Our research shows that we're actually short by about 2,000 surveyors already, and that's going to get worse."
Michelle Blicavs says the biggest need for surveyors is in Queensland and Western Australia. (Supplied: Surveyors Australia)
Mr Adamson said the lack of government support was a major concern and could stunt growth in remote areas.
"Politicians say 'Yes we recognise the needs of regional Australia, and we have these visas', but when push comes to shove there's no accountability," he said.
"I would make more money and have less stress if I just went and took a staff job somewhere in the city."
Federal Kennedy MP Bob Katter said he raised the case with the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Tony Burke.
Bob Katter says Mr Adamson's struggle has "opened up a very important discussion". (AAP: Glenn Hunt)
"I will get increasingly angry unless we can communicate with the minister and get this agreed to," he said.
"If there's one thing we desperately need, it's surveyors."
In a statement, the Department of Home Affairs said the individual case could not be commented on for privacy reasons.
Mr Burke declined the ABC's request for comment.
No solution in sight
Mr Adamson said he had lucrative contracts at risk the longer he waited for workers.
"We're all aware of the government red tape but we need to quicken that up," he said.
"Time costs money and I don't have the funds to keep going like this."