MARN 2217886 & MIA 26889
Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)
What is DAMA?
The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a unique agreement between the Australian government and regional state or territory authorities. It allows employers in designated areas facing critical skills shortages to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled international workers for positions that are hard to fill locally.
Under DAMA, individuals cannot directly apply. Instead, they must be sponsored for specific occupations listed in the agreement by an employer based in a designated region.
Key Features of DAMA
Utilizes Existing Visa Programs: Employs the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) and Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa pathways.
Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR): Provides a clear route for DAMA visa holders to achieve permanent residency.
Expanded Occupation Lists: Offers increased flexibility, enabling employers to sponsor a wider range of skilled and semi-skilled workers.
Concessions: Includes benefits such as:
Minimum salary requirements
English proficiency levels
Age flexibility
Long-Term Agreement: Typically, DAMA agreements last for five years.
Eligibility Criteria
Under DAMA agreements, candidates and employers must meet the following requirements:
- Adhere to general sponsorship and nomination criteria of the Subclass 482 visa (all three streams).
- Ensure the nominated occupation is specified in the relevant labour agreement.
- Fulfill all conditions set by the Department of Home Affairs for the labour agreement.
- Stay within the approved number of nominations for each occupation as outlined in the labour agreement.
Application Process
The DAMA application process involves three main steps:
Employer Seeks Endorsement
The employer must first gain an endorsement from the relevant regional state or territory authority involved in the DAMA agreement. Common requirements include:
- Operating lawfully in the applicable region for a minimum duration (typically one year).
- Demonstrating genuine efforts to hire local workers.
- Maintaining a clean record regarding industrial relations and workplace safety.
- Committing to fair employment conditions that comply with Australian workplace standards.
Employer Applies for Labour Agreement
Once endorsed, the employer submits an application for a Labour Agreement to the Department of Home Affairs.
- Providing proof of endorsement from the regional authority.
- Justifying the need for overseas workers to fill specific roles under DAMA.
- Confirming the ability to meet DAMA terms, including concessions offered (e.g., salary, skills, or English language requirements).
Nomination and Visa Application
This phase mirrors the steps for the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa:
- Identifying a suitable candidate.
- Lodging the nomination of the position and paying the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy.
- Submitting the TSS visa (Subclass 482) application.
Benefits of DAMA
For employers, DAMA offers the opportunity to address persistent labour shortages in regional areas while ensuring compliance with Australian employment standards. For employees, it provides a stepping stone to permanent residency and a chance to contribute to regional Australia’s economic growth.
For More Information on the Seven Current DAMAs:
- Northern Territory: Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement
- The Goldfields, WA: City of Kalgoorlie Boulder DAMA
- Great South Coast, VIC: Warrnambool City Council DAMA
- Adelaide City and Regional SA: Immigration South Australia DAMA
- Orana, NSW: Regional Development Australia – Orana DAMA
- Far North Queensland: Cairns Chamber of Commerce DAMA
Explore each region’s DAMA agreement to understand specific concessions, occupations covered, and application procedures.
FAQ
The DAMA is a unique migration program that allows employers in designated regional areas of Australia to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled international workers for positions experiencing labour shortages. It is an agreement between the Australian government and specific regional state or territory authorities.
To be eligible, candidates must be sponsored by an employer located in a designated region. Employers must demonstrate a genuine need for international workers in occupations specified under the DAMA agreement. The program also requires adherence to the guidelines of the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) and Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa programs.
No, individuals cannot apply for DAMA directly. They must be sponsored by an employer in a designated region who has been endorsed under the DAMA agreement.
DAMA provides employers with increased flexibility in occupation lists and access to a larger pool of skilled and semi-skilled workers. It also offers concessions for visa applicants, including reduced English proficiency requirements, lower minimum salary thresholds, and greater age flexibility. Additionally, the program offers pathways to permanent residency for DAMA visa holders.
Employers must follow these steps to participate in DAMA:\n
- Seek endorsement from the relevant regional authority involved in the DAMA agreement.
- Apply for a Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
- Nominate a position and sponsor a suitable candidate under the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa program.
These steps ensure compliance with Australian labour laws and workplace standards.