The K-Move project aims to place partially-qualified Korean students into Orana regional workplaces to continue their occupational training. This will thereby fill skills gaps and shortages within the region and in turn, help to increase productivity and economic development.

The Korean government has expressed a keen interest to be a partner with Australian companies in rural and remote areas.

Regional Development Australia Orana is currently working with regional employers to identify skills shortages which cannot be filled by the existing workforce, but could potentially be filled by Korean students under a subclass 402 visa.

"We have established a close working relationship with the South Korean Consul-General, which has been strengthened by the consular visit to the Orana region in June last year, and more recently by the signing of the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement in December," Regional Development Australia Orana chief executive officer, Felicity Taylor-Edwards said.

"As Korea is currently our third-largest trading partner, it is essential to continue to build this working relationship. I believe that the K-Move Project will be a great step in the relationship-building process.

"I look forward to seeing this project come to fruition, to enhance international student exchange and economic development."