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HomeWork and skilled Visas

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs)

Unlock Skilled Talent in Regional Australia

Many businesses in regional Australia often struggle to find the workers they need. Local recruitment efforts may fall short, especially in industries like agriculture, hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) offer a solution to this dilemma. These agreements allow employers in approved regions to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers. As a result, DAMAs offer enhanced flexibility compared to standard skilled visa programs.

At Australian Migration Agents, we support regional employers with a range of assistance, from assessing eligibility to preparing successful visa nominations. We understand the regional workforce challenges and the steps needed to address them through DAMAs.

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Prompt and efficient service

Our expertise in migration visas means we can help you prepare and submit your application quickly and efficiently.

Clear communication

Our experienced agents will give you regular updates and clear explanations of your visa options.

Dedicated to client satisfaction

Our services are focused on achieving the best possible outcome for you, which means you’re always in safe hands.

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Our fixed-fee quotes outline all costs prior to engaging our services.

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What is a DAMA?

A DAMA is a formal five-year agreement between the Australian Government and a local body known as the Designated Area Representative (DAR). This agreement allows employers in that designated area to access overseas workers to address local labour shortages.

A DAMA allows for:

Access to more occupations, including roles not found on standard skilled occupation lists.
Concessions in areas like age limits, English proficiency requirements, and salary thresholds.
Visa flexibility, allowing sponsorship under the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494), and Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visas.

Unlike general skilled visa programs, DAMAs are structured to meet regional needs. They consider local industry demands and provide employers with a streamlined route to filling critical roles.

Current DAMA Regions in Australia

There are currently 13 DAMA regions in operation, each with its own conditions and occupation lists. These include:

Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement (SA)
East Kimberley (WA)
Far North Queensland (QLD)
Goulburn Valley (VIC)
Great South Coast (VIC)
Northern Territory (NT)
Orana (NSW)
Pilbara (WA)
South Australia Regional (SA)
South West (WA)
The Goldfields (WA)
Townsville (QLD)
Pilbara, The Goldfields, South West, and East Kimberley (covering all of WA)

Each DAMA reflects the labour needs of its area. For example, Far North Queensland focuses heavily on tourism and agriculture, while the Pilbara prioritises mining and construction. The local DAR manages endorsements and provides the first checkpoint in the DAMA application process.

The DAMA Process: Step-by-Step

Applying under a DAMA is a multi-stage process. Each step must be handled carefully, with proper documentation and a clear understanding of visa regulations.

Step 1: Endorsement by the DAR

You must first apply to the Designated Area Representative for endorsement. This includes providing:

Details of the role and your business.
Labour market testing results.
Records of your business operations and compliance.

If the DAR approves your request, you will receive an endorsement letter, which allows you to move to the next step.

‍Step 2: Labour Agreement Application

Using your endorsement letter, you then apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a DAMA Labour Agreement. This agreement outlines the specific occupations, concessions, and caps for visa nominations your business can access.

The application must be clear, complete, and backed by strong evidence of your labour requirements.

Step 3: Nominate and Sponsor Workers

Once the labour agreement is approved, your business can nominate workers for specific visa subclasses. The workers will then apply for their visa under your sponsorship.

These include:

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) (for permanent residency)

Throughout this process, businesses are expected to maintain good standing with workplace laws and provide fair work conditions.

Benefits of Using a DAMA

DAMAs exist to help regions thrive. They support employers who have tried local recruitment without success. Here is why many regional businesses apply for them:

Access to workers in niche or high-demand roles.
The ability to overcome standard visa limitations.
Pathways to permanent residency for sponsored employees.
Greater alignment between immigration and regional development.

These agreements also offer benefits to skilled workers who may not meet the usual visa criteria but are willing to contribute to regional Australia.

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Why Work with Australian Migration Agents?

We understand the high stakes of workforce planning and visa compliance. Our experienced team helps employers with the following:

Identifying the right DAMA region and eligibility criteria.
Preparing all required documentation for endorsement and application.
Liaising with DARs and the Department of Home Affairs.
Completing labour agreement and nomination applications.
Responding to any requests for further information.

We manage the entire process while keeping you informed and in control. Our support helps you minimise delays and stay aligned with migration regulations.

Step 1

Consultation and engagement

Organise a consultation time to speak with one of our agents. You can meet with us in person, via Zoom or telephone. Following this, we will send you paperwork that confirms our engagement to represent you.

Step 2

Preparation and submission

We will prepare submissions in support of your visa application. This will be based on your individual circumstances, and supported by evidence where appropriate. We then submit your application to the relevant body (Department of Home Affairs)

Step 3

Representation and success

We ll contact you as soon as the Department makes a decision. If the application is not granted, we can assess your options and may lodge an appeal on your behalf, depending on your circumstances.

Start Your DAMA Journey Today

If you are facing workforce shortages and operating in an approved DAMA region, now is the time to explore your options. The process can be technical, but you do not have to go through it alone.

Speak to the team at Australian Migration Agents to find out whether your business qualifies. We will assess your needs, guide you through the requirements, and support you through each stage of the application process.