Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)
Subclass 482 Visa
What Is It?
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is where businesses enter into a labour agreement with the Australian Government to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions, they are unable to fill with local workers.
Responsive
The DAMA relies on the labour agreement stream of the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482).
It provides flexibility for states, territories, or regions to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions, allowing regional employers to access a broader range of overseas workers than is currently available through the TSS or ENS program.
Advantages of the DAMA
- Pathways to permanent residency for DAMA Visa holders,
- A broad range of occupations that reflect skilled and semi-skilled shortages,
- English language concessions for some occupations,
- Salary concessions that reflect regional market rates, ensuring that worker terms and conditions of employment are not eroded, and regional businesses and consumers are not subjected to inflationary costs,
- A range of risk and integrity actions to ensure that the rights of both employees and employers are protected,
- Age concessions, and
- A five-year agreement to reduce red tape etc.
How to apply under a DAMA?
The DAMA is an employer sponsored visa and individual workers cannot apply independently. Employers need to apply to the relevant DAR to access the DAMA detailing In their proposal the occupations, concessions and number of workers they require.
The Application Process:
Stage 1.
The employer (sponsoring business) applies to the relevant DAR for endorsement.
Stage 3.
If the assessment is positive, a letter of endorsement Is Issued by the DAR to the employer.
Stage 5.
The Department reviews the DAMA application.
Stage 2.
DAR reviews the endorsement application.
Stage 4.
The sponsoring business makes an application to enter into an individual DAMA labour agreement with the Department.
Stage 6.
Once a positive outcome from the Department Is received, the employer Is able to lodge a nomination and the employee can concurrently lodge a visa application under the labour agreement stream with the Department.
Current DAMAs in place:
- Northern Territory: NT DAMA
- The Goldfields, WA: Goldfields WA DAMA
- Great South Coast, VIC: Great South Coast DAMA
- Adelaide City and Regional SA: South Australia DAMA
- Orana, NSW: Orana DAMA
- Far North Queensland: FNQ DAMA
Potential pathways
Each DAMA region will have their own specific pathway to PR.
Generally, the pathway will usually involve the applicant working in the occupation for 2 – 4 years before being eligible to transition onto the Permanent Subclass 186 – Employer Nominated Scheme Visa.
Key Takeaway
There are many different benefits available which include pathways to permanent residency for labour agreement TSS Visa holders, including waivers to English language requirements and skill level concessions. Different regions will have different occupations available and different requirements. It may be worth looking at possible job opportunities in these areas. Contact Questra to see which DAMA may be suitable to you.
