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DAMAS – DESIGNATED AREAS MIGRATION AGREEMENTS

DAMA area

What is a DAMA Labour Agreement?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a type of labour agreement between the Australian Government and regional authorities. It allows employers in specific regions to sponsor overseas workers for occupations that are not always available through the standard skilled migration program. DAMAs also offer concessions on age, English, and work experience, making them an attractive option for both employers and skilled workers.

What are the main advantages of a DAMA?

1. Access to occupations that are not in the CSOL list for standard sponsorship

2. Pathway to permanent residency for most of the occupations in the DAMA

3. English language concession for many occupations

4. Age concession at the PR stage for certain occupations

5. Salary concession for employers

What DAMAs are available today?

Below a list DAMAs available to visa applicant and a link to their websites and occupation lists.

The 4 stages of a DAMA Labour Agreement process

Labour Market testing

The first stage for employers under a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is to demonstrate a genuine labour shortage.

  • Employers must carry out Labour Market Testing (LMT), showing that suitable Australian workers are not available.

  • The shortage must relate to one or more occupations listed on the specific DAMA occupation list for the region.

  • Evidence may include job advertisements, recruitment efforts, and proof of difficulty in finding local staff.

This step establishes that there is a real and ongoing need for overseas workers in those roles.

RCB

If a shortage is proven, the employer applies for endorsement from the relevant Regional Development Authority (RDA) or local government body responsible for that DAMA region.

  • The endorsement process requires employers to build a business case, explaining why the position is needed, the scope of the shortage, and how the business has tried to recruit locally.

  • At this stage, the employer can request concessions (if allowed under the DAMA). These may include concessions to the salary threshold, English language requirement, or age limit for permanent residence pathways.

  • Importantly, the individual nominee does not need to be identified yet. Employers may request endorsement for a certain number of occupations based on current or projected business needs.

Successful endorsement shows that the regional authority supports the employer’s case and agrees the position is justified.

DAMA labour agreement for regional employer sponsorship in Australia

Following endorsement, the employer applies for a labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

  • This step largely mirrors the endorsement process, as the Department assesses the business case, LMT evidence, and requested concessions.

  • Once approved, the labour agreement sets out the terms under which the employer may sponsor overseas workers, including the occupations, number of positions, and any concessions granted.

Nomination application

Once a labour agreement is in place, the employer can lodge a nomination application for a specific overseas worker (the nominee).

  • At this stage, the individual applicant is identified, and the business demonstrates how the nominee meets the skills and experience requirements.

  • After the nomination is lodged, the nominee can submit their visa application (usually a subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa or a permanent visa pathway like 186 or 494, depending on eligibility).

This is the final stage, where the sponsorship process connects to the visa process, allowing the employee to begin or continue working in Australia under the agreed labour agreement.

FAQs - frequently asked questions

The WA DAMA occupation list includes a wide variety of roles to address skill shortages. Examples include:

  • Hospitality: Chefs, Cooks, Café or Restaurant Managers

  • Mining and trades: Metal Fabricators, Welders, Motor Mechanics

  • Health and aged care: Nursing Support Workers, Personal Care Assistants

  • Agriculture: Farm Workers, Meat Process Workers

These occupations vary by region, with the Pilbara DAMA focused on mining, trades, and engineering, while other areas such as Kalgoorlie include hospitality and healthcare.

The Far North Queensland DAMA supports industries such as:

  • Tourism & Hospitality: Hotel Supervisors, Waiters, Bar Attendants

  • Agriculture: Fruit Pickers, Horticultural Workers

  • Health: Disability Support Workers, Aged Care Workers

  • Trades: Painters, Plasterers, Carpenters

This makes the FNQ DAMA an attractive pathway for skilled and semi-skilled workers seeking sponsorship in regional Queensland.

Normally, the age limit for skilled migration to Australia is under 45 years at the time of application. However, under certain DAMA labour agreements, age concessions may apply — some DAMAs allow applicants to transition to permanent residency up to age 55 (depending on the occupation and regional agreement). This is a major benefit for experienced workers who would otherwise not qualify.

Under most DAMA agreements, you need to work with your sponsoring employer in the regional area for a set period (often 2–3 years) before you can transition to permanent residency. The exact timeframe depends on the DAMA region (e.g., Pilbara DAMA vs Far North Queensland DAMA) and the occupation nominated.

Are you facing labor shortage in your area? Let’s talk about it.

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