Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) are a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a state or territory government or regional authority. It allows employers greater flexibility to hire non-citizen workers to fill critical skills shortages in designated areas.
Each DAMA agreement operates under an agreement-based framework and allows businesses in the specified region to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions. Generally, each DAMA agreement
will be in place for 5 years, and
allows for applications with the following visa subclasses
o the 482 Skills in Demand (SID),
o the 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional), and
o the 186 Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS)
Benefits of a DAMA Agreement
1. More Occupations are covered
While these visas are usually only available for individuals on the skilled occupation list under a DAMA agreement, they can be expanded to include both skilled and semi-skilled roles.
2. The Visa Age Limits Can Be Increased
While the 186 Employer Nominated and the 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional are usually limited to individuals below forty-five (45) years of age under a DAMA agreement, these age restrictions can be waived or modified, with many of the current agreements increasing the eligibility age up to fifty-five (55).
3. The English Language Requirements Can Be Reduced
Next, the English language requirements for applicants can be reduced substantially, making it easier for you to start work and work on your language skills in Australia.
What DAMAs Are in Force Currently?
There are thirteen DAMAs in place as of September 2026. These can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website here or via the links below.
Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement, SA: Skilled & Business Migration,
East Kimberley, WA: East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Far North Queensland, QLD: Cairns Chamber of Commerce,
Goulburn Valley, VIC: Goulburn Valley,
Great South Coast, VIC: Warrnambool City Council,
Northern Territory, NT: Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement,
Orana, NSW: Regional Development Australia - Orana, NSW,
Pilbara, WA: RDA Pilbara,
South Australia Regional, SA: Skilled & Business Migration,
South West, WA: Shire of Dardanup,
The Goldfields, WA: City of Kalgoorlie Boulder,
Townsville, QLD: Townsville Enterprise Limited,
Western Australia: Department of Training and Workforce Development.
What Roles are Covered?
The exact roles and occupations covered, as well as the exemptions offered, differ depending on the DAMA. You can search for your occupation below.
Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement, SA: DAMA occupation list,
East Kimberley, WA: DAMA occupation list,
Far North Queensland, QLD: DAMA occupation list,
Goulburn Valley, VIC: DAMA occupation list,
Great South Coast, VIC: DAMA occupation list,
Northern Territory, NT: DAMA occupation list,
Orana, NSW: DAMA occupation list ,
Pilbara, WA: DAMA occupation list,
South Australia Regional, SA: DAMA occupation list,
South West, WA: DAMA occupation list,
The Goldfields, WA: DAMA occupation list,
Townsville, QLD: DAMA occupation list,
Western Australia: DAMA occupation list.
Please Note:
We cannot assist you in finding a job or a work sponsor. Currently, our services are limited to providing migration advice and visa application preparation and support. If you are looking for a job in Australia, please consider using an Australian-focused work website such as www.seek.com.au, www.indeed.com.au etc. You can search by keyword for professions you are qualified for or search for visa sponsorship, DAMA visa, etc.
Not Sure where to start? Take our free Pathways Quiz here.
Westralian Migration Services can assist you to maximise your chances of success. Book a consultation with us today.
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