When it comes to migrating to Australia’s regions, Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) provide access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program.
A Designated Area Migration Agreement is formal agreement between the Australian Government and a regional, state or territory authority. DAMAs provide flexibility to the regions and are implemented to support the unique circumstances and labour market needs of the geographical location.
Designated Area Migration Agreements contain a range of occupations as well as agreed terms and concessions to skilled visa eligibility criteria, as negotiated between parties.
DAMAs are generally in effect for five years and use the following visa programs:
- Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Visa
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) Visa
- Employer Nominated Scheme (Subclass 186) Visa
Employers are required to seek and gain endorsement from the Designated Area Representative (DAR) which is usually the state or territory government or regional bodies such as chambers of commerce, Regional Development Australia offices or shire councils before lodging a labour agreement request.
Designated Area Migration Area requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. A number of factors are considered before a DAMA is approved including:
- Demonstrated efforts to recruit local workers
- Caps on the number of overseas workers employed annually
- Ensuring that local support is made available to migrant workers
Once a DAMA labour agreement is approved, the business is able to nominate and sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for certain occupations. Individuals cannot directly access a Designated Area Migration Agreement; they need to be sponsored by an employer operating in a designated region and for an occupation that is specified in the head agreement.
There are currently 13 DAMAs in place relevant to regions throughout Australia. Each DAMA covers a specified range of occupations. Currently active DAMAs include:
Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement, SA
- East Kimberley, WA
- Far North Queensland, QLD
- Goulburn Valley, VIC
- Great South Coast, VIC
- Northern Territory, NT
- Orana, NSW
- Pilbara, WA
- South Australia Regional, SA
- South West, WA
- The Goldfields, WA
- Townsville, QLD
- Western Australia
To learn more about each DAMA and the regions, locations or shires covered by each, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Key Elements of Designated Area Migration Agreements
Some of the general key elements of Designated Area Migration Agreements include:
- Pathways to permanent residence
- A broad range of occupations that reflect skilled and semi-skilled shortages
- English language and salary concessions for select occupations
- Age concessions
Each of the 13 DAMAs has its own specific characteristics and eligibility criteria.
The primary goal of Designated Area Migration Agreements is to support the growth of regional areas throughout Australia.
To learn more about Designated Area Migration Agreements or any other aspect of migration, speak to the team of registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia. Book a consultation.
