Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)

In Australia, regional employers often face challenges in sourcing skilled labor due to workforce shortages. To address these regional needs, the Australian Government has introduced Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), a tailored migration solution that allows businesses to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for roles that cannot be filled locally. Read more here.

What is a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)?

A DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a state or territory government or a regional authority. It provides a structured framework that enables employers in designated regions to access overseas workers more flexibly than the standard skilled migration program allows.

DAMAs are structured as two-tier agreements:

Tier 1: DAMA Head Agreement – A five-year agreement between the Australian Government and a Designated Area Representative (DAR), which is typically a state or regional body such as a Chamber of Commerce or Regional Development Australia office.
Tier 2: Individual Labour Agreements – These are agreements between individual employers and the Australian Government, allowing businesses in the designated region to access the DAMA’s terms and concessions.

Key Features of DAMAs

Tailored to Regional Needs: Each DAMA is region-specific and includes concessions on visa eligibility requirements such as English language proficiency, work experience, and age limits.
Access to a Wider Range of Occupations: DAMAs cover skilled and semi-skilled occupations that are not typically available under standard skilled migration pathways.
Pathways to Permanent Residency: Some DAMAs provide transition pathways to permanent residency through visas like the Subclass 186 Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa.
Employer-Driven Process: Businesses must demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit Australian workers first before accessing a DAMA labour agreement.

Visa Options Under DAMAs

Employers operating under a DAMA can sponsor overseas workers through the following visa programs:

Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa – Enables temporary skilled migration.
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa – Offers a pathway to permanent residency.
Subclass 186 Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) Visa – For skilled workers transitioning to permanent residency.

Applying for a DAMA Labour Agreement

To sponsor workers under a DAMA, employers must follow these steps:

Seek Endorsement from the DAR – The employer must apply for endorsement from the Designated Area Representative (DAR) in their region.
Submit a Labour Agreement Request – After receiving endorsement, the employer submits an online application via ImmiAccount to the Department of Home Affairs.
Approval & Nomination – Once approved, the employer can nominate overseas workers for DAMA-eligible occupations.

Existing DAMAs in Australia

As of now, 13 DAMAs are in place across various regions, each addressing specific labor shortages. These include:

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 DAMA
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

Each of these DAMAs has specific eligibility criteria, concessions, and lists of occupations tailored to their regional workforce needs.

How Aurelia Legal can help

Aurelia Legal simplifies the DAMA application process, guiding employers through endorsement, labour agreement requests, and visa sponsorship. Our team ensures compliance, streamlines paperwork, and enhances approval chances. Contact us today to explore how we can assist with your DAMA application.

Conclusion

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) are a critical tool in addressing regional labor shortages, allowing businesses to access a wider pool of skilled and semi-skilled workers while ensuring Australian job seekers remain a priority. By providing customized visa concessions and regional sponsorship opportunities, DAMAs support economic growth and workforce stability in key Australian regions.

For employers in regional Australia, DAMAs present an excellent opportunity to fill essential roles and sustain business operations. If you are an employer looking to leverage a DAMA, Aurelia Legal can provide expert guidance to simplify the process and secure the workforce you need.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is for general information only. Legislation may change from time to time. Please refer to the latest legislation for current details.