Everything You Need to Know About DAMA. 

October 20, 2021

Everything You Need to Know About DAMA. 

We are going to look into the Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) options in more detail. Keep scrolling to learn everything that you ever wanted to know about DAMA.

What if your job could take you to Australia? It can happen! Approved businesses in Australia can provide sponsorship to skilled overseas workers when there is a shortage in the Australian labour market or when there are no standard temporary or permanent visa programs available at the time. 

In partnership with the employers, the Australian Government develops this agreement, effective for five years. There are five different types of labour agreements.  

• Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA);   
• Company-Specific labour agreements 
• Industry labour agreements        
• Project agreements and Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements.  

Let’s dive into the Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) in more detail.  

What is DAMA?

The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a regional state or territory authority. DAMA enables employers in designated areas to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they cannot fill. DAMA functions under an agreement-based framework that allows regions to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions. 

The agreement is effective for five years and utilizes: 

• the subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS)  
• subclass 494 Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional)*  
• subclass 186 Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa programs.  

However, it is vital to note that individuals need to be sponsored by the employers in the specified regions and cannot apply for the visa individually. DAMA ensures that employers have prioritised the recruitment of Australian citizens first before applying for a labour agreement.  

Types of DAMA agreements in Australia

There are seven types of DAMA agreements currently available across Australian states: 

• Northern Territory DAMA 
• Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement 
• South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement 
• Great South Coast DAMA 
• Orana DAMA 
• Far North Queensland DAMA 
• The Goldfields DAMA 
• Concessions 

DAMA agreements provide a broader range of occupations in comparison to the mainstream TSS short-term and Medium-term lists, English language and salary concessions for selected occupations; age concessions and sometimes, pathways to permanent residency for DAMA visa holders. 

These concessions vary according to the needs of employers within a DAMA region. 

More information about the concessions and the application process can be obtained from E-Help. 

If you are an employer looking to sponsor an employee under the DAMA, please contact E-Help Consultants expert migration team. We have a lot of experience in this area of migration and are here if you need professional advice and guidance.