Designated Area Migration Agreements – VIC & NT

Of the 12 DAMAs currently in place in Australia, Victoria has two in effect and the Northern Territory has one. These are:
–          Goulburn Valley Designated Area Migration Agreement (GV DAMA)
–          Great South Coast Designated Area Migration Agreement (GSC DAMA)
–          Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA)

Designated Area Migration Agreement – Goulburn Valley

The Goulburn Valley region in Northern Victoria entered into a DAMA agreement with the Australian Government in December 2021. It encompasses the local government areas of Greater Shepparton, Moira Shire, and Campaspe Shire.

Employers interested in a labour agreement under the DAMA must be endorsed by the Designated Area Representative (DAR). Once endorsed the employer may apply for a DAMA labour agreement. As the DAMA is an employer-sponsored program, workers cannot apply independently.

Key elements of the Goulburn Valley DAMA include:
–          Pathway to permanent residency
–          56 approved occupations that reflect skilled and semi-skilled shortages in the Goulburn Valley region
–          English language concessions for some occupations
–          Salary concessions for some occupations while ensuring that the worker terms and conditions are not eroded
–          A range of risk and integrity actions to ensure the rights of both workers and employers are protected

Designated Area Migration Agreement – Great South Coast

The Great South Coast DAMA has been in effect since 2019. Employers based in the Great South Coast region can apply for a Great South Coast DAMA. The region includes local government areas of Glenelg Shire, Southern Grampians Shire, Moyne Shire, Corangamite Shire, Colac-Otway Shire, and Warrnambool City Council.

Once endorsed, an employer can apply for a DAMA Labour Agreement and sponsor overseas employees.

The key elements of the Great South Coast DAMA include:
–          A pathway to permanent residency
–          27 approved occupations that reflect skilled and semi-skilled shortages in the Great South Coast region
–          English language concessions for some occupations
–          Salary concessions for some occupations yet ensuring that worker terms and conditions are not eroded
–          A range of risk and integrity actions to ensure the rights of both workers and employers are protected

Designated Area Migration Agreement – Northern Territory

The Northern Territory DAMA applies to the whole of the Northern Territory. This second version of the DAMA is aimed to address current and emerging labour market shortages.

For businesses to be a part of the DAMA program, they must be endorsed by MigrationNT and enter into a 5-year labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

Once endorsed, employers can sponsor overseas employees via Citizenship a Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (subclass 482) or a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494).

Key elements of the Northern Territory DAMA include:
–          Pathways to permanent residency
–          124 approved occupations
–          Salary concessions that reflect Northern Territory market rates, ensuring workers’ terms and conditions of employment are not eroded and Northern Territory businesses and consumers are not subjected to inflationary costs.
–          A range of risk and integrity actions to ensure the rights of employees and employers are protected

Visa Solutions Australia is happy to assist employers seeking to hire overseas workers as part of a Designated Area Migration Agreement. To speak to a registered migration agent, contact Visa Solutions Australia on 1800 828 008 or send us an email.

The industries eligible for the Australian Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) in Victoria and the Northern Territory may vary. However, some of the industries that are commonly eligible for DAMAs include:

1. Healthcare: This can include positions such as doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
2. Hospitality: This can include positions such as chefs, waiters, and other hospitality staff.
3. Construction: This can include positions such as tradespeople, engineers, and other construction professionals.
4. Agriculture: This can include positions such as farm managers, agricultural technicians, and other agriculture-related professionals.
5. Mining: This can include positions such as mining engineers, geologists, and other mining professionals.
6. Manufacturing: This can include positions such as production managers, process engineers, and other manufacturing professionals.

It’s important to note that the specific industries eligible for DAMAs can vary depending on the region, and the specific requirements and processes for each DAMA may also differ. It is recommended to seek the advice of a professional immigration agent to determine your eligibility for a DAMA.