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Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

Build your future in regional Australia

Pathway to regional skilled careers

Regional skilled careers in Australia, supported by designated area migration agreements.

Expanding regional opportunities through skilled migration.

The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) program is a special part of Australia’s employer-sponsored visa framework.

It allows regional employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for roles that cannot be filled locally, offering more flexibility and concessions than standard visa programs.

Unlike standard visa subclasses, the DAMA is established through a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a Designated Area Representative (DAR), typically a local or state authority to meet regional workforce needs.

How DAMA Uses the Employer-Sponsored Visa Streams

The DAMA program operates under the labour agreement stream of existing employer-sponsored visa subclasses.

Visa Stream UsedKey FeaturePathway
TSS (subclass 482) – DAMA Labour Agreement StreamGrants a temporary visa (up to 4 years) for work in the designated region.Offers a clear pathway to permanent residency through the ENS (subclass 186) visa.
SESR (subclass 494) – DAMA Labour Agreement StreamTemporary regional visa (5 years).Provides a regional pathway to permanent residency (subclass 191).
ENS (subclass 186) – DAMA Labour Agreement StreamPermanent residency for eligible DAMA holders.The final stage of the DAMA pathway after the required work period.

General Eligibility Requirements

The DAMA pathway has two sets of requirements: one for the employer and one for the visa applicant.

Requirements For Employers

  • Location

    The business must be actively and lawfully operating within the designated DAMA region.

  • DAR Endorsement

    The employer must apply for and receive endorsement from the Designated Area Representative (DAR) before accessing the DAMA.

  • Labour Market Testing

    Employers must provide evidence that genuine efforts were made to recruit Australian citizens or permanent residents before seeking overseas workers.

  • Labour Agreement

    Once endorsed, the employer must enter into an individual Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

Requirements For Visa Applicants

  • Sponsorship

    Must be sponsored by an employer who holds an approved DAMA Labour Agreement.

  • Occupation

    The nominated occupation must be on the region’s DAMA-specific occupation list.

  • DAMA Concessions

    May include concessions for: • Age – up to 50 or 55 (instead of 45). • English – lower score accepted (e.g. IELTS 4.5 overall). • Salary – below standard TSMIT thresholds.

  • Skills & Qualifications

    Must meet the necessary qualifications and experience for the nominated occupation (a skills assessment may be required).

The DAMA Pathway: Step by Step

  • 1

    Employer Seeks Endorsement: The business applies to its local Designated Area Representative (DAR) to access the DAMA.

  • 2

    Employer Secures Labour Agreement: Once endorsed, the employer requests and signs an individual Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

  • 3

    Employer Finds Worker: The employer identifies a suitably qualified overseas worker for the role.

  • 4

    Employer Nominates Worker: The employer lodges a nomination for the chosen worker under the DAMA Labour Agreement.

  • 5

    Applicant Lodges Visa: The worker applies for the relevant visa (e.g. TSS subclass 482) under the DAMA stream.

  • 6

    Pathway to PR: After working for the required period (usually 2–4 years), the applicant and employer can apply for a permanent visa (e.g. ENS subclass 186).

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Let Us Navigate the DAMA Pathway for You

At Hays Migration, we specialise in supporting both regional employers and skilled professionals through the DAMA process – from obtaining endorsements and negotiating labour agreements to preparing visa applications with precision and care.

Our team of MARA-registered migration agents and migration lawyers are well-versed in DAMA frameworks across multiple designated regions in Australia. We help employers meet compliance requirements and assist workers in understanding their eligibility, concessions, and long-term residency options.

Whether you’re an employer seeking skilled talent under a DAMA agreement or a professional looking to build a career in regional Australia, we’ll help you navigate every step confidently.