DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement)

What is a DAMA?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a type of Labour Agreement. Labour Agreements are work agreements that enable approved employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers and in response to identified market shortages.  These agreements are negotiated between the Department and employers or industrial associations. Other types of labour agreements also include: Company-specific labour agreements, Project agreements, Global Talent Scheme (GST) agreements and Industry labour agreements.

DAMAs are labour agreements between a Designated Area Representative (DAR) and the Australian Government and provide access to additional occupations and concessions to standard migration programs under the:

• Skills in Demand (SID) Visa
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494)
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

Once a DAMA is in place, local businesses can apply for endorsement and enter into individual labour agreements under the conditions of the relevant DAMA.

Migration Options for Skilled Workers Over 45 and English Flexibility

One key advantage of the DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) program is the age flexibility it offers skilled migrants. While standard skilled migration pathways, such as the Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 visas, impose an age limit of 45, the DAMA program allows for significantly higher age thresholds.

For most occupations listed under DAMA agreements, the age limit is extended to 55, and for some select occupations, it is set at 50. This creates valuable opportunities for experienced professionals who may otherwise be ineligible under the general skilled migration program.

In addition to age concessions, the DAMA program also offers flexibility in English language requirements for some occupations. Depending on the role, a lower level of English proficiency may be accepted, making this pathway more accessible for skilled workers who meet other criteria but may find the standard English requirements challenging.

By offering these concessions, DAMA agreements not only support regional employers in filling critical skill shortages but also provide a practical pathway for skilled individuals who bring years of expertise and professional value.

If you are exploring long-term migration options and thought your age or English level might be a barrier, the DAMA program could be the solution you have been looking for.

Active DAMAs

There are currently thirteen DAMA lists in place:

• The Orana region DAMA (NSW)
• The Northern Territory DAMA (NT)
• The Far North Queensland (FNQ DAMA) (QLD)
• The Townsville DAMA (QLD)
• The Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement DAMA (Metro) (SA)
• The South Australian Regional Workforce DAMA (Regional) (SA)
• The Goulburn Valley DAMA (VIC)
• The Victoria’s Great South Coast DAMA (VIC)
• The EK (East Kimberley) DAMA (WA)
• The Goldfields DAMA (WA)
• The Pilbara DAMA (WA)
• The South West DAMA (Shire of Dardanup) (WA)
• Western Australia DAMA (WA)

How To Apply Under A DAMA?

The DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program and individual workers cannot apply independently. Employers must apply to the relevant DAR to access the DAMA for the occupations, concessions and number of workers they required.

Generally, the application process consists of:

• Step 1. The employer (sponsoring business) applies to the relevant DAR for endorsement.
• Step 2. The DAR assesses the endorsement application.
• Step 3. If the assessment is positive the DAR issues a letter of endorsement to the employer and notifies the Department.
• Step 4. The sponsoring business makes an application to enter into an individual DAMA labour agreement with the Department.
• Step 5. The Department assesses the DAMA application.
• Step 6. On receival of a positive outcome from the Department, the employer can proceed to lodge a nomination for the employee and the employee can also lodge a visa application under the labour agreement stream with the Department.