Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a customized migration solution designed to address specific labor shortages in regional areas of Australia. It provides access to a broader range of skilled and semi-skilled occupations and visa concessions than the standard skilled migration program, helping regions meet their unique economic and workforce needs.

What is a DAMA?

A DAMA is a two-tier framework:

• Head Agreement: A five-year agreement between the Australian Government and a Designated Area Representative (DAR), such as state/territory governments or regional authorities.
• Labour Agreements: Individual agreements between endorsed employers and the Australian Government, operating under the terms of the head agreement.

Key Features of a DAMA

• Provides flexibility to regional employers to address specific labor market shortages.
• Covers a defined regional area, with tailored occupations and eligibility concessions.
• Employers can nominate skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers under specific visa programs:
  • Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa.
  • Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa.
  • Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.
• Ensures Australian citizens and permanent residents are given recruitment priority.

How DAMAs Work

Agreement Establishment:

• A head agreement is signed between the Australian Government and the DAR.
• This agreement outlines occupations, terms, and concessions specific to the region.

Employer Endorsement:

• Businesses must obtain endorsement from the DAR to participate in the DAMA.

Labour Agreement Application:

• Once endorsed, employers submit a DAMA labour agreement request online through ImmiAccount, providing all necessary documentation.

Sponsorship and Nomination:

• Approved businesses can nominate skilled or semi-skilled workers for occupations covered under the DAMA.

Employer Requirements

• Demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Meet the terms and conditions outlined in the DAMA.
• Obtain DAR endorsement before lodging a request with the Department of Home Affairs.

Benefits of a DAMA

• Access to a broader range of occupations and skill levels, including semi-skilled roles.
• Concessions on visa eligibility criteria, such as English language requirements, salary thresholds, and skills assessments.
• Tailored to regional labor market needs.

Existing DAMAs in Australia

There are currently 13 DAMAs in operation across Australia. Each DAMA is region-specific and provides targeted solutions to address unique local labor shortages.

List of DAMAs and Designated Area Representatives (DAR):

• Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement, SA: Skilled & Business Migration
• East Kimberley, WA: East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Far North Queensland, QLD: Cairns Chamber of Commerce
• Goulburn Valley, VIC: Goulburn Valley
• Great South Coast, VIC: Warrnambool City Council
• Northern Territory, NT: Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement
• Orana, NSW: Regional Development Australia - Orana
• Pilbara, WA: RDA Pilbara
• South Australia Regional, SA: Skilled & Business Migration
• South West, WA: Shire of Dardanup
• The Goldfields, WA: City of Kalgoorlie Boulder
• Townsville, QLD: Townsville Enterprise Limited
• Western Australia: Department of Training and Workforce Development

Start Your DAMA Journey

Are you an employer looking to access skilled workers through a DAMA or an applicant seeking sponsorship in regional Australia? Book an appointment with Global Vision Migration today for expert guidance on DAMAs, visa sponsorship, and tailored migration solutions. Let us help you unlock the opportunities that DAMAs can bring to your region or career!