In Australia, the DAMA Program was designed to address specific labour shortages in certain regions of Australia. The Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) offer pathways for skilled overseas workers to obtain visas and potentially permanent residency. Let's delve into what exactly a DAMA is, who it's for, and the current DAMA programs.
What is the Australian DAMA Program
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a special type of labour agreement between the Australian government and a particular region, state, or territory. These agreements are tailored to meet the needs of each region, recognising that different areas may have specific requirements regarding skilled workers.
The DAMA program aims to address local labour shortages by allowing employers in those areas to register and sponsor either skilled and semi skilled workers from overseas. Employers can nominate to sponsor through Australian visa programs such as the 482 visa, 494 visa, and the 186 visa, however, each DAMA agreement may have additional occupations or concessions available compared to the standard visa programs.
Why the DAMA Program May be a Better Option
Each DAMA agreement may have additional conditions or concessions that would not normally apply to standard 482, 494 or 186 visas. These could be especially appealing to some people who may not be eligible to apply to the standard visa programs. Common concessions may include:
- Available Occupations: Normally only occupations listed on the Skilled Migration list would be eligible however through the DAMAs there may be additional occupations including semi skilled occupations that are not normally listed.
- Age Concessions: For the 494 and 186 visas there is usually an age restriction of 45 years of age. Under some DAMA agreements people over the age of 45 are still able to apply.
- Salary Requirements: There may be different minimum salary requirements compared to the standard TISMIT (salary).
- English Language Proficiency: Minimum English language proficiencies may vary depending on the occupation.
- Pathways to Permanent Residency: Opportunities for skilled workers to transition from temporary visas to permanent residency.
Current DAMA Agreements
As of May 2024, there are 12 DAMA programs in place across six states or territories. These include:
DAMA Programs WA:
DAMA Program SA:
DAMA Program NSW:
DAMA Program QLD:
DAMA Program VIC:
DAMA Program NT:
Finding Registered Companies Within Each DAMA Program
There are currently 2,523 companies registered under the various DAMA programs and Company Specific Labour Agreements. Therefore finding a job with one of these companies can be a slow and time consuming process.
To find each list you can either go to each specific DAMA program, listed and linked above, or you can go to the Australian Home Affairs website to get more information.
Alternatively, at Visa Jobs we have compiled the full list and broken it down into each specific DAMA or Company Labour Agreement. So depending on your desired location, you can easily find the right list of companies for you. We have even gone through all 2,523 companies and linked as many websites as we could find to save you hours. Our list is regularly checked and updated.
When you Register with Visa Jobs you get access to the DAMA list as well as full access to our job board, visa information, tips and tools.
👉👉 Register to access the full list of DAMA & Labour Agreement companies 👈👈
General Requirements
While specific requirements may vary between DAMA programs, general eligibility criteria often include:
- Relevant skills and qualifications for occupations listed in the DAMA.
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements.
- Satisfy health and character requirements.
- Have a job offer from an approved employer in the designated area.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
One of the significant benefits of DAMA is its potential pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers. Depending on the DAMA program and individual circumstances, skilled workers may be eligible to apply for permanent residency after working in a designated area for a certain period.
Conclusion
The DAMA Program offers a tailored approach to addressing labour shortages in specific regions of Australia. By providing pathways for skilled workers to obtain visas and potentially permanent residency, DAMAs unlock opportunities for both employers and individuals. As various regions continue to implement DAMA agreements, they play a crucial role in supporting economic growth and development across the country.
DAMAs may not be that appealing to those who meet all of the visa requirements for the 482, 492, or 186 visa but for those in occupations that can not normally be sponsored, are over 45 year old or do not quite have the required level of English, DAMAs could be a great means to migrating to Australia.