Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)

What is a DAMA?

• Definition: A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a type of Labour Agreement.
• Purpose: Allows approved employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they cannot fill locally due to labour shortages.
• Negotiation: Agreements are negotiated between the Department of Home Affairs and employers or industrial associations.
• Types of Labour Agreements: Includes Company-specific, Project, Global Talent Scheme (GTS), and Industry labour agreements.

Key Features of DAMA

• Parties Involved: Between a Designated Area Representative (DAR) and the Australian Government.
• Visa Programs Covered:
  • Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482)
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494)
  • Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
• Benefits:
  • Access to additional occupations.
  • Concessions on standard migration program requirements (e.g., salary, English language proficiency, skills, experience, and permanent residency pathways).

Active DAMAs (13 in total as at August 2024)

• Orana Region DAMA (NSW)
  • 131 occupations available.
  • Concessions: Skills, work experience, salary, English, and permanent pathway.
• Northern Territory DAMA (NT)
  • 135 occupations available.
  • Concessions: English and salary for some occupations.
• Far North Queensland DAMA (QLD)
  • 175 occupations available.
  • Concessions: English, skills, experience, salary, and permanent residency pathway.
• Townsville DAMA (QLD)
  • 195 occupations available.
• Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement DAMA (SA)
  • 56 occupations available.
  • Concessions: English, age, salary, and permanent residency pathway.
• South Australian Regional Workforce DAMA (SA)
  • 320 occupations available.
  • Concessions: English, age, salary, and permanent residency pathway.
• Goulburn Valley DAMA (VIC)
  • 56 occupations available.
  • Concessions: Qualifications & experience, TSMIT, English, PR pathway, and age.
• Victoria’s Great South Coast DAMA (VIC)
  • 114 occupations available.
  • Concessions: English, skills, experience, salary, and permanent residency pathway for some occupations.
• EK (East Kimberley) DAMA (WA)
  • Over 187 occupations available.
• Goldfields DAMA (WA)
  • 145 occupations available.
  • Concessions: English, salary, and permanent residency pathway.
• Pilbara DAMA (WA)
  • Covers 135 occupations.
• South West DAMA (Shire of Dardanup) (WA)
  • 56 occupations available.
  • Concessions: TSMIT, English, PR pathway, and age.
• Western Australia DAMA (WA)
  • 310 occupations available.

How to Apply Under a DAMA

• Employer Application:
  • Apply to the relevant DAR for endorsement.
• DAR Assessment:
  • DAR reviews and assesses the endorsement application.
• Issuance of Endorsement:
  • If approved, DAR issues a letter of endorsement to the employer and notifies the Department.
• Labour Agreement Application:
  • Employer submits an application to enter into an individual DAMA labour agreement with the Department.
• Department Assessment:
  • Department reviews the DAMA labour agreement application.
• Final Steps:
  • Upon a positive outcome, the employer lodges a nomination for the employee.
  • Employee applies for a visa under the labour agreement stream with the Department.