Australia's regional areas often face unique labour market challenges, leading to the establishment of Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). These agreements provide tailored solutions to address specific regional skill shortages by allowing employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions that are not available under standard visa programs. As of April 2025, there are 13 active DAMAs across various states and territories, each designed to meet the distinct needs of their respective regions.

✅ What is a DAMA?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) enables skilled foreign workers to live and work in Australia through a formal labour agreement crafted between the Australian Government and a designated area representative (DAR), such as a state or territory government or regional authority. These tailored agreements empower employers in specific regions to tackle critical labour shortages by sponsoring overseas workers for occupations that aren't available under standard skilled migration programs, offering a unique pathway for both businesses seeking to fill skills gaps and international workers looking to contribute to regional Australian communities. These agreements enable employers in specific regions to sponsor overseas workers for occupations that are not available under standard skilled migration programs. DAMAs are designed to address unique labour market needs and may offer concessions on standard visa requirements, including English language proficiency, salary thresholds, and age limits. (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)

📍 Current DAMAs in Australia (as of April 2025)

Here is an updated list of the 13 active DAMAs, along with links to their respective Designated Area Representative (DAR) websites:

1. Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement DAMA (SA) – Skilled & Business Migration SA

2. East Kimberley DAMA (WA) – East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry

3. Far North Queensland DAMA (QLD) – Cairns Chamber of Commerce

4. Goulburn Valley DAMA (VIC) – Goulburn Valley DAMA

5. Great South Coast DAMA (VIC) – Warrnambool City Council

6. Northern Territory DAMA (NT) – Northern Territory Government

7. Orana DAMA (NSW) – RDA Orana

8. Pilbara DAMA (WA) – Pilbara Development Commission

9. South Australia Regional DAMA (SA) – Skilled & Business Migration SA

10. South West DAMA (WA) – Shire of Dardanup

11. The Goldfields DAMA (WA) – City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder

12. Townsville DAMA (QLD) – Townsville Enterprise

13. Western Australia DAMA (WA) – Department of Training and Workforce Development

🛠️ Unique Occupations Under DAMAs

Some occupations available under DAMAs are not typically found on the standard Skills in Demand (SID) 482, ENS 186, or 494 visa lists. These truly unique DAMA occupations reflect local workforce needs in specific regions. Below are examples organised by DAMA region:

Adelaide City DAMA (SA)

• Advancement Manager (ANZSCO 070499)

• Advancement Professional (ANZSCO 070499)

• Clinical Researcher (ANZSCO 070499)

• Data and Analytics Manager (ANZSCO 070499)

• Digital Artist (ANZSCO 070499)

• Digital Producer (ANZSCO 070499)

• Digital Production Manager (ANZSCO 070499)

• Digital Supervisor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Senior Digital Artist (ANZSCO 070499)

East Kimberley DAMA (WA)

• Bar Manager (ANZSCO 070499)

• Bar Supervisor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Cafe or Restaurant Supervisor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Commercial Cleaner (Supervisor) (ANZSCO 070499)

• Commercial Housekeeper (Supervisor) (ANZSCO 070499)

• Operations and Client Experience Officer (Aviation) (ANZSCO 070499)

• Garden Labourer (ANZSCO 843211)

• Brewery Worker (ANZSCO 831112)

• Home Improvement Installer (ANZSCO 821412)

• Drycleaner (ANZSCO 811512)

• Laundry Worker (General) (ANZSCO 811511)

Far North Queensland DAMA (QLD)

• Bar Attendant (Supervisor) (ANZSCO 070499)

• Waiter (Supervisor) (ANZSCO 070499)

• Housekeeping Supervisor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Night Auditor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Cafe or Restaurant Supervisor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Diving Instructor (Tourism or Photography) (ANZSCO 070499)

• Brewer (ANZSCO 070499)

• Farm Inspector (ANZSCO 070499)

South Australia Regional DAMA (SA)

• Sommeliers (ANZSCO 070499)

• CNC Machinist (ANZSCO 070499)

• Dance Instructor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Log Truck Driver (ANZSCO 070499)

• Start-up Worker (Digital) (ANZSCO 070499)

• Winery Worker (ANZSCO 070499)

Northern Territory DAMA (NT)

• Civil Construction Site Supervisor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Cook (Specialist Ethnic Cuisine) (ANZSCO 070499)

• High access maintenance and cleaning technician (ANZSCO 070499)

• Earthmoving Labourer (ANZSCO 821113)

• Cement and Concrete Plant Worker (ANZSCO 839911)

Pilbara DAMA (WA)

• Bar Attendant (Supervisor) (ANZSCO 070499)

• Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner (ANZSCO 070499)

• Security Officers and Guards nec (ANZSCO 442299)

• Bus Driver (ANZSCO 731211)

Goulburn Valley DAMA (VIC)

• Fruit or Nut Picker (ANZSCO 841212)

• Meat Boner and Slicer (ANZSCO 831211)

• Meat Packer (ANZSCO 832114)

• Slaughterer (ANZSCO 831212)

Goldfields DAMA (WA)

• Bar Attendant (Supervisor) (ANZSCO 070499)

• Loader Operator (ANZSCO 721216)

• Mixed Crop Farmer (ANZSCO 121216)

• Scaffolder (ANZSCO 821712)

• Bar Attendant (Supervisor) (ANZSCO 070499)

Orana DAMA (NSW)

• Fruit and Vegetable Packer (ANZSCO 832113)

• Aquaculture Worker (ANZSCO 841111)

• Winery Cellar Hand (ANZSCO 831113)

• Baking Factory Worker (ANZSCO 831111)

Wester Australia DAMA (WA)

• Civil Construction Supervisor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Decarbonisation Advisor (ANZSCO 070499)

• Directional Driller (ANZSCO 070499)

• Electrolyser Technician (ANZSCO 070499)

• Fuel Cell Technician (ANZSCO 070499)

• Hydrogen Process Operators (ANZSCO 070499)

• Process Technician (ANZSCO 070499)

• Wind Blade Technician (ANZSCO 070499)

These roles highlight how DAMAs are designed to meet the specific and evolving workforce needs of regional Australia—needs often overlooked by the broader skilled migration system. By allowing for a wider variety of occupations, tailored concessions, and region-specific flexibility, DAMAs help ensure that vital local industries can attract the workers they urgently require.

For employers in designated DAMA regions, this represents a strategic opportunity to resolve long-standing labour shortages through a structured and supportive visa process. Likewise, for skilled and semi-skilled migrants, securing sponsorship in a DAMA-designated role may open the door to valuable employment, regional integration, and long-term migration outcomes—including a pathway to permanent residency.

💼 Benefits of DAMAs

• Wider range of eligible occupations: DAMAs allow access to roles not typically available through mainstream skilled migration pathways, supporting regional sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, aged care, and manufacturing, which are often not covered by standard skilled visa programs.

• English language concessions: Applicants may be eligible under reduced English language proficiency thresholds, such as functional English instead of competent English, making it more accessible for workers with otherwise strong experience.

• Lower salary threshold requirements (TSMIT): DAMAs may permit lower salary thresholds than the standard Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), reflecting local economic conditions and cost of living.

• Age concessions: In contrast to many general skilled migration visas that cap eligibility at 45 years of age, DAMAs may allow applicants up to the age of 55, offering opportunities to experienced mid-career professionals.

• Permanent Residency (PR) pathways: Many DAMA roles offer a defined pathway to PR through subclass 186 or 494 visas after 2–3 years of regional employment, providing long-term settlement options for workers and their families.

• Customised to regional needs: Each DAMA is tailored to the specific labour shortages of its region, ensuring that employers can find the right talent and candidates can find meaningful work in communities where they are needed most.

📝 Eligibility for a DAMA Visa

To be eligible for a DAMA visa, both employers and overseas workers must meet specific criteria. Employers must be located within a designated DAMA region and demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit local workers before turning to overseas talent. This process, known as labour market testing, ensures that hiring overseas workers does not disadvantage the local workforce. Employers must also enter into a formal agreement with the designated area representative (DAR), who oversees the DAMA in their region.

For overseas workers, eligibility hinges on meeting the requirements set out by the specific DAMA. These requirements can vary but generally include having the necessary skills and qualifications for the occupation, meeting health and character requirements, and having a valid job offer from an approved employer. The DAMA framework is designed to be flexible, allowing for a broader range of occupations and skill levels compared to standard skilled migration programs.

🎯 Concessions under a DAMA

One of the key advantages of DAMAs is the range of concessions they offer, making it easier for semi-skilled overseas workers to qualify for visas. These concessions can include reduced English language proficiency requirements, allowing applicants to meet functional English standards rather than the more stringent competent English levels required under standard visa programs. This makes DAMAs more accessible to workers who have the necessary skills but may not meet the higher language thresholds.

Salary concessions are another significant benefit. DAMAs may permit lower salary thresholds than the standard Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), reflecting the economic conditions and cost of living in regional areas. This flexibility helps employers attract the talent they need without being constrained by higher salary requirements that may not be feasible in their region.

Age concessions are also a notable feature of DAMAs. While many general skilled migration visas cap eligibility at 45 years of age, DAMAs can extend this limit to 55, providing opportunities for experienced mid-career professionals who might otherwise be excluded from migration pathways. These tailored concessions ensure that DAMAs can effectively address the unique labour market needs of regional Australia.

🏠 Permanent Residency Pathway

DAMAs not only provide immediate solutions to regional labour shortages but also offer a clear pathway to permanent residency for overseas workers. After working in a DAMA-designated role for a specified period, typically 2–3 years, workers may be eligible to transition to permanent residency through visas such as the subclass 186 or 494.

The pathway to permanent residency involves meeting certain criteria, including continued employment in the designated region, adherence to visa conditions, and sometimes additional requirements set by the specific DAMA. This structured approach ensures that workers who contribute to regional communities have the opportunity to settle permanently, fostering long-term stability and growth in these areas.

For both employers and overseas workers, the permanent residency pathway under DAMAs represents a mutually beneficial arrangement. Employers can retain skilled workers who have integrated into their businesses and communities, while workers gain the security and benefits of permanent residency in Australia. This long-term perspective is a cornerstone of the DAMA framework, supporting the sustainable development of regional Australia.

📈 Latest Developments in Regional Australia

• The Northern Territory DAMA was renewed in March 2025 with expanded access to 325 occupations and a quota increase from 625 to 1,500 places per year, valid through 2030. This expansion reflects the growing need for skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers in the region, addressing labour shortages in key industries such as construction, healthcare, and tourism. The Northern Territory's commitment to attracting a diverse workforce highlights its strategic approach to economic growth and regional development.

• The Townsville DAMA also introduced new support for regional health and aged care employers to meet increasing demand. This initiative aims to bolster the local healthcare system by providing employers with the ability to sponsor skilled migrants in critical roles like nurses, aged care workers, and medical technicians. By enhancing the capacity of health services, the Townsville DAMA ensures that the community's growing population receives the necessary care and support, promoting a higher quality of life for residents.

• In addition to these developments, other regions are exploring innovative ways to leverage DAMAs to drive regional prosperity. For instance, the Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement DAMA is focusing on attracting talent in emerging tech sectors, supporting the city's vision to become a hub for digital innovation. By offering concessions on visa requirements and providing pathways to permanent residency, DAMAs are proving to be a vital tool in addressing regional labour market needs and fostering sustainable economic growth across Australia.

📞 Final Thoughts

If you or your business are based in a regional area and struggling to fill roles locally, DAMAs may offer a powerful alternative migration pathway. These agreements provide flexibility and access to a wider pool of talent, while supporting the long-term development of Australia's regional communities.

For tailored advice or assistance with a DAMA application, contact a registered migration agent today.

📚 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) enables skilled foreign workers to live and work in Australia through a formal arrangement between the Australian Government and a designated area representative, like a regional authority or state government. This valuable solution lets employers in specific regional areas tackle labour shortages by sponsoring skilled and semi-skilled workers for positions that aren't available under standard skilled migration programs, addressing the unique employment needs of these communities. It allows employers in specific regions to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers for occupations not available under standard skilled migration programs, addressing unique labour market needs.

2. Does a DAMA lead to permanent residency?

Yes, many DAMA roles offer a pathway to permanent residency. After working in a DAMA-designated role for a specified period, typically 2–3 years, workers may be eligible to transition to permanent residency through visas like the subclass 186 or 494.

3. How much does applying for a DAMA cost?

The cost of applying for a DAMA can vary depending on the specific DAMA and the associated visa application fees. Employers may also incur costs related to labour market testing and entering into a formal agreement with the designated area representative.

4. What are the benefits of a DAMA in Australia?

DAMAs offer several benefits, including access to a broader range of occupations, English language and salary concessions, age concessions, and a pathway to permanent residency. They are tailored to meet the specific labour market needs of regional areas, helping employers attract the skilled workers they need.

5. How do I apply for a DAMA visa?

To apply for a DAMA visa, employers must first enter into a formal agreement with the designated area representative and demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit local workers. Overseas workers need to meet the specific criteria set by the DAMA, including having the relevant skills and qualifications, meeting health and character requirements, and having a valid job offer from an approved employer.