Designated Area Migration Agreements – NSW, SA & WA – 2022

The following three Designated Area Migration Agreements are in effect in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia:
–          Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement
–          South Australian Regional Designated Migration Agreement
–          Pilbara Designated Migration Agreement

Designated Area Migration Agreement – Orana

The Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement is between the Australian Government and Regional Development Australia Orana (RDA Orana) in New South Wales. RDA Orana has negotiated an agreement for the Orana region that includes specific occupations and conditions that address the most acute labour shortages in the region.

The Orana DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program so individual workers are unable to apply for the visa independently.

Following endorsement from RDA Orana, businesses apply for and enter into a labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs. Endorsed employers can then lodge a nomination for the position required which workers can then apply for and be granted a Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) or an Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186).

Essential elements of the Orana DAMA:
–          It’s a five-year agreement
–          It has a pathway to permanent residency
–          It caters for a broad range of occupations that reflect skilled and semi-skilled shortages in the Orana
–          It offers English language concessions for some occupations
–          It offers salary concessions that reflect the Orana region’s market rates, ensuring that local worker terms and conditions of employment are not eroded
–          It incorporates a range of risk and integrity actions to ensure the protection of the rights of employees and employers

Designated Area Migration Agreement – South Australian Regional

The South Australian Regional DAMA focuses on South Australia’s regional high-growth industries which include agribusiness, forestry, health and social services, tourism, hospitality, construction, and mining.

In order for an employer to take part in the South Australian Designated Area Migration Agreement, they must seek endorsement from the Designated Area Representative. Once an employer has been endorsed, they may employ skilled migrants under the Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (subclass 482) or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional Visa (subclass 494).

Designated Area Migration Agreement – The Pilbara

The Pilbara DAMA is a five-year labour agreement between the Federal Government and Regional Development Australia Pilbara (RDA Pilbara). It aims to provide businesses in the City of Karratha and the Town of Port Hedland in Western Australia the opportunity to employ overseas workers under a Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (Subclass 482), a Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) or the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).

The DAMA includes 66 occupations across multiple industries that are significant to the Pilbara region. These include childcare workers, hospitality supervisors, and aged or disabled carers.

If you have any questions or would like to employ overseas workers under a Designated Area Migration Agreement, contact the team at Visa Solutions Australia at 1800 828 008 or send us an email.

The Australian Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) allow businesses in specific industries in designated regions of Australia to sponsor foreign workers for a visa to fill skill shortages. A few industries eligible for these agreements in New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia include:

New South Wales:

• Health and social services
• Tourism and hospitality
• Construction
• A few examples of companies in these industries include Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Rydges Hotels & Resorts, and Lendlease.

South Australia:

• Defence
• Mining and energy
• Agriculture and aquaculture
• A few examples of companies in these industries include BAE Systems Australia, Santos Limited, and Tindo Solar.

Western Australia:

• Mining and resources
• Construction
• Agriculture
• A few examples of companies in these industries include Rio Tinto, BGC Contracting, and Harvey Beef.

It’s important to note that the specific industries eligible for DAMA and the list of companies may change over time.

Read More: Designated Area Migration Agreement – Victoria and the Northern Territory.

Resource: Immigration and Citizenship, Australian Government.