Designated Migration Agreement DAMA

What is DAMA & How Does It Work?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is designed to address labour shortages and support the development of regional areas in Australia. It enables businesses in various region to access overseas talent, helping their enterprises grow and contributing to regional economic development.

DAMA is available only to organisations, not individuals, allowing employers to sponsor overseas workers under specific visa categories to meet their workforce needs.

What is the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)?

The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is an agreement between the Australian government and a regional, state, or territory authority. It is designed to address labour shortages by allowing skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers to fill critical skill gaps. Each region maintains a list of eligible occupations, and businesses can hire foreign workers after obtaining approval from the relevant territorial authorities.

Currently, there are 7 DAMAs in place, each covering specific occupations and concessions:

Orana Region – 73 occupations listed with permanent pathway concessions.
Northern Territory – 117 occupations listed with salary concessions for some occupations.
Far North Queensland – 73 occupations listed with permanent pathway concessions for select occupations.
Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement (Metro) – 64 occupations listed with salary concessions for select occupations.
South Australian Regional Workforce (Regional) – 139 occupations listed with salary concessions for select occupations.
Victoria’s Great South Coast – 27 occupations listed with salary concessions for select occupations.
Goldfields – 125 occupations listed with salary concessions for select occupations.

Whom Does DAMA Apply To?

Individual workers cannot directly participate in a DAMA labour agreement; sponsorship must be provided by a business located in the designated regional territory.

DAMA allows a migrant worker to live and work in a regional area if their occupation is listed on the approved DAMA occupation list. This list is broader than the standard skilled occupation list, offering a higher chance of obtaining an Australian visa for eligible applicants.

What is the DAMA occupation list?

The DAMA occupation list details all occupations covered within a specific territory or region. It is an exhaustive list that addresses labour and skill shortages which could otherwise hinder the operations of local businesses.

Based on these listed occupations, DAMA provides various concessions, including eligibility for permanent residency (PR), helping to attract and retain skilled migrant workers.

One key advantage of DAMA is that it allows designated employers in regional territories to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers in occupations that are not included in standard visa programs, increasing the chances of securing a visa.

All DAMA occupation lists are available on ANZSCO Search and can be referenced using the relevant ANZSCO codes.

DAMA Visa Process &DAMA Visa Requirements

DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program designed to address labour shortages in designated occupations.

To participate, the employer or sponsoring business must first approach their Designated Area Representative (DAR) with their workforce requirements. The DAR provides access to the DAMA occupation list and applicable concessions. Based on the workforce needs, the employer must apply to the DAR for endorsement, which is a critical first step. The DAR carefully reviews the application, and if approved, issues a letter of endorsement and notifies the Department of Home Affairs.

Once the letter of endorsement is received, the business enters into a DAMA labour agreement with the department. The department evaluates the application and, upon approval, the business can nominate foreign employees under the program. These employees can then apply for a specific work visa under the labour agreement stream.

How DAMA Affects Foreign Workers

The DAMA framework offers significant advantages for foreign workers in Australia, providing relaxations and concessions in terms and conditions that are not available under standard skilled worker visas.

There is a strong demand for both skilled and semi-skilled workers in regional territories, creating opportunities for foreign workers to find employment matching their skills. DAMA also opens a pathway to permanent residency in Australia after a few years.

Workers under DAMA have access to Medicare and quality education for their children. However, according to the DAMA labour agreement, they must limit their work to the designated regional territory, which may be less developed compared to major Australian cities.

Why choose us for DAMA visa in Australia?

Here are a few of the reasons why our clients from around the world trust Immigration Global Network:

Immigration Global Network is a leading visa consultancy in Australia. Our migration agents in Australia are experts in all rules, regulations, and requirements of the DAMA program.

Speak to our multilingual PR and immigration agents at 075 699 9695, and they will guide you through the entire process of applying for a DAMA visa in Australia. We provide world-class DAMA visa and PR services at affordable prices with a focus on achieving successful results.