DAMA

Core Principles of the DAMA Framework

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) provides a tailored employer-sponsored migration framework for participating regional areas of Australia. Each DAMA operates under its own agreed conditions, occupations and concessions.

Employer-Sponsored Pathway

A DAMA is an employer-sponsored migration arrangement. An individual cannot independently access a DAMA without an eligible employer and a suitable position covered by the relevant agreement.

The employer must generally complete the required sponsorship, endorsement and labour agreement processes before nominating an overseas worker.

The overseas worker then applies for the relevant visa and must satisfy the visa requirements applicable to their circumstances.

Priority for Australian Workers

DAMA arrangements are intended to help address genuine regional workforce shortages.

Employers are generally expected to demonstrate that they have made appropriate efforts to recruit and retain Australian workers before relying on overseas workers, where Labour Market Testing or other local recruitment requirements apply.

The exact evidence and exemptions depend on the relevant DAMA, occupation and visa pathway.

Tailored Migration Concessions

A key feature of some DAMAs is the availability of agreed concessions to standard migration requirements.

Depending on the particular DAMA and occupation, concessions may be available in areas such as:

• Age

• English language

• Salary

• Work experience

• Skills or qualification requirements

• Other occupation-specific requirements

These concessions are not automatically available to every DAMA applicant. They must be specifically provided for under the relevant agreement and must apply to the nominated occupation and visa pathway.

DAMA Regions Across Australia

DAMA arrangements operate in specific designated areas across Australia. Each agreement has its own Designated Area Representative (DAR) and its own occupation list, eligibility requirements and conditions.

Examples of DAMA arrangements have included designated areas in:

• South Australia

• Western Australia

• Queensland

• Victoria

• New South Wales

• Northern Territory

The exact list of active DAMAs, participating local government areas, eligible occupations and available concessions can change. Employers and applicants should therefore confirm the current DAMA arrangements applicable to their location before commencing the sponsorship process.

South Australia DAMA

South Australia has operated DAMA arrangements designed to support workforce needs across metropolitan and regional areas.

The relevant agreement can provide participating employers with access to occupations and concessions that may differ from standard skilled migration programs.

Applicants should check the current South Australian DAMA occupation list and conditions before relying on a particular occupation or concession.

Western Australia DAMA

Western Australia has operated DAMA arrangements covering designated areas and industries experiencing workforce shortages.

Depending on the applicable agreement, employers may access occupations and concessions tailored to the workforce requirements of the relevant region.

The employer's business location and the location of the proposed employment are important when determining which DAMA arrangements may apply.

Queensland DAMA

DAMA arrangements in Queensland can provide participating regional employers with access to overseas workers in occupations identified as experiencing local workforce shortages.

Eligibility depends on the relevant regional agreement, occupation, employer and visa pathway.

Victoria DAMA

Victoria has DAMA arrangements supporting participating regional areas experiencing workforce shortages.

The relevant agreement may provide access to specified occupations and concessions for eligible employers and overseas workers.

Applicants should confirm whether their proposed employment location and occupation fall within the current Victorian DAMA framework.

New South Wales DAMA

Designated regional areas in New South Wales may participate in DAMA arrangements where local workforce shortages justify access to tailored employer-sponsored migration.

The applicable occupation list and concessions depend on the relevant regional agreement.

Northern Territory DAMA

The Northern Territory DAMA provides a tailored framework for eligible employers seeking overseas workers for occupations identified as important to the Territory's workforce needs.

The agreement can include occupations and concessions that differ from standard skilled migration pathways, subject to the applicable conditions.

Regional DAMA Spotlight

South West Western Australia

The South West region has operated a DAMA arrangement designed to support participating employers experiencing skilled and semi-skilled workforce shortages.

Eligible businesses may be able to sponsor overseas workers in occupations included under the applicable agreement, subject to endorsement, labour agreement and visa requirements.

Goulburn Valley Victoria

The Goulburn Valley DAMA has supported workforce requirements across participating areas of regional Victoria.

The framework has been associated with industries including agriculture, food production, manufacturing, tourism and other regional economic sectors.

As DAMA arrangements can be amended or replaced, employers should verify the current participating areas and occupation list before commencing an application.

DAMA Government and Application Costs

DAMA applications can involve several different costs. The amount payable depends on the stage of the process, the employer, the nominated position, the visa pathway and the applicable agreement.

Potential costs can include:

• DAMA endorsement or regional authority charges, where applicable

• Labour agreement-related government charges, where applicable

• Employer nomination application charges

• Visa application charges

• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, where applicable

• Professional or migration agent fees

• Skills assessment fees, where required

• English-language testing fees, where applicable

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is an employer-side contribution that may apply to eligible employer-sponsored nominations.

The amount depends on factors including the relevant visa pathway and the employer's circumstances.

The SAF levy is separate from the visa application charge and should not be presented as a single universal DAMA fee.

DAMA Application Process

A typical DAMA pathway can involve several stages:

1. Identify the relevant DAMA based on the employer's location.

2. Check the occupation against the current DAMA occupation list.

3. Assess employer eligibility and workforce requirements.

4. Apply for endorsement from the relevant Designated Area Representative where required.

5. Obtain the appropriate labour agreement with the Australian Government.

6. Nominate the overseas worker under the approved arrangement.

7. Worker lodges the relevant visa application.

8. Department of Home Affairs assesses the application against the applicable requirements.

The exact process can vary between DAMA regions and visa pathways.

Important: Check the Current DAMA

There is no single DAMA occupation list or universal set of concessions for Australia.

Each DAMA can have its own:

• Occupation list

• Designated area

• Employer requirements

• Salary requirements

• English concessions

• Age concessions

• Experience requirements

• Permanent residency pathway

• Endorsement process

For this reason, employers and overseas workers should assess the specific DAMA applicable to the proposed employment location rather than relying on a general DAMA occupation list.

Professional DAMA Assistance

DAMA applications can involve regional endorsement, employer sponsorship, occupation requirements, labour agreements and visa applications.

The Visa can assist employers and skilled overseas workers in understanding the relevant DAMA pathway, checking occupation eligibility, reviewing available concessions and preparing the appropriate employer-sponsored migration application.

Contact The Visa to discuss your DAMA Australia options.