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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:

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.

Active DAMAs

There are currently thirteen DAMA lists in place:

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.

dama step by step

Anzscosearch & DAMA Lists

All DAMA lists have been included in Anzscosearch. Once you search for a specific ANZSCO code, you can find the details under the DAMA tab:

dama information

Access DAMA Lists

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