What Is a DAMA Visa?
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is an employer-sponsored migration pathway that allows businesses in specific regional areas of Australia to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers.
A DAMA is different from standard skilled migration programs because it provides regions with greater flexibility to address local labour shortages. Depending on the agreement, eligible occupations may have access to concessions on certain visa requirements, making it possible for some applicants who may not qualify under standard pathways to explore employer-sponsored options.
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A DAMA operates through two levels:
1. DAMA Head Agreement
The Australian Government enters into a five-year agreement with a Designated Area Representative (DAR), which may include state governments, regional authorities, or other approved regional organisations.
This agreement outlines:
- Eligible occupations
- Available visa pathways
- Applicable concessions
- Requirements employers and applicants must meet
2. Individual DAMA Labour Agreement
Employers operating within the designated region can apply for an individual labour agreement under the DAMA framework.
This allows approved employers to sponsor overseas workers through visas such as:
- Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)
- Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
Employers must demonstrate that they have made genuine efforts to recruit Australian workers before accessing the DAMA pathway.
How Does a DAMA Visa Differ From a Standard Employer-Sponsored Visa?
A DAMA may provide additional flexibility compared to standard employer-sponsored pathways.
Depending on the specific DAMA agreement, concessions may be available for:
- Eligible occupations
- Work experience requirements
- English language requirements
- Salary requirements
- Age requirements
- Pathways to permanent residency
Each DAMA has its own occupation list and eligibility criteria, so applicants must meet the requirements of the specific region and occupation they are applying under.
Which Areas Have DAMA Agreements?
Currently, there are thirteen DAMA Agreements in place, below is a list of those DAMAs:
- 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
Please note that each area has its own DAMA conditions, occupation lists, and available concessions.
This means an occupation that is eligible in one region may not be available in another.
Examples of Occupations Available Through DAMA
Many DAMA agreements include occupations experiencing workforce shortages.
For example, some regions have included occupations such as:
Child Care Worker
Some DAMA agreements include childcare-related occupations, allowing eligible employers to sponsor overseas workers to help address shortages in regional communities.
👉Read related article: DAMA Childcare Pathway to PR
Aged and Disabled Carers
Care sector occupations are also included in certain DAMA agreements due to ongoing workforce demand.
Eligibility requirements, including experience, qualifications, and English requirements, vary depending on the specific DAMA and occupation.
How Does the DAMA Visa Process Work?
The DAMA process is employer-driven, meaning an applicant must have an eligible employer willing to sponsor them.
The general process involves:
Step 1: Employer Completes Labour Market Testing
The employer must show they have attempted to recruit Australian citizens and permanent residents before sponsoring an overseas worker.
Step 2: Employer Applies for DAMA Endorsement
The employer must receive endorsement from the relevant Designated Area Representative (DAR).
Step 3: Employer Applies for a Labour Agreement
Once endorsement is approved, the employer can apply for a DAMA labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 4: Nomination and Visa Application
After the labour agreement is approved, the employer can nominate the position and the applicant can lodge their visa application.
The visa pathway will depend on the agreement and circumstances, commonly involving the Subclass 482 or Subclass 494 visa.
DAMA Visa Costs and Fees
The cost of applying through a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) can vary depending on the region, occupation, employer, and visa pathway. Generally, expenses are divided into three main stages: regional endorsement, employer nomination, and visa application fees.
Applicants should prepare for government charges, employer-related fees, and additional requirements such as health checks, police clearances, English testing, and skills assessments.
1. Designated Area Representative (DAR) Endorsement Fee
Before an employer can proceed with a DAMA labour agreement, they must first obtain endorsement from the relevant Designated Area Representative (DAR).
The endorsement fee depends on the specific region and generally ranges from approximately AUD 400 to AUD 1,000.
2. Visa Application Charges (VAC)
After the employer has obtained the required DAMA endorsement, entered into an approved labour agreement and received nomination approval, the worker can lodge the relevant visa application.
A DAMA is not a separate visa. The visa application charge depends on the visa subclass used under the agreement, which may include:
- the Skills in Demand visa – Subclass 482
- the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa – Subclass 494
- the Employer Nomination Scheme visa – Subclass 186, where a permanent residence pathway is available under the relevant DAMA.
As of July 2026, the government visa application charge for a primary applicant starts from approximately:
- AUD 4,015 for the Subclass 482 visa
- AUD 6,140 for the Subclass 494 visa
- AUD 6,140 for the Subclass 186 visa
Additional visa application charges apply for partners and dependent children included in the application. The total charge depends on the visa subclass, the ages of accompanying family members and the applicant’s circumstances.
Visa charges are subject to change. Applicants should check the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before applying.
3. Other Possible Costs
Depending on the DAMA region, visa subclass and applicant’s circumstances, other costs may include:
- DAMA endorsement or assessment fee: Set by the relevant Designated Area Representative and varies between DAMA regions
- Labour agreement costs: Any applicable professional, administrative or regional authority fees
- Nomination application charge: Depends on the visa subclass used
- Skilling Australians Fund levy: Payable by the employer where applicable; the amount depends on the visa, business turnover and proposed employment period
- Skills assessment: Varies by occupation and assessing authority and may exceed AUD 1,000
- English language test: Varies by test provider and country
- Health examinations: Varies according to the examinations required and the approved medical provider
- Police certificates: Varies by country and the number of certificates required
- Document translation or certification: May apply where documents are not in English
- Professional fees: Migration-agent or legal-service fees may apply if professional assistance is used.
Some costs must legally be paid by the employer and must not be transferred to the sponsored worker.
Can DAMA Lead to Permanent Residency?
A DAMA can provide a pathway to permanent residency for eligible applicants.
Many DAMA pathways allow workers who meet the required conditions to transition to permanent employer-sponsored visas, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
However, eligibility depends on factors including:
- Occupation
- Employer requirements
- Visa history
- Work experience
- Qualification requirements
- DAMA conditions
Is DAMA Right for You?
A DAMA can be a valuable option for skilled workers who do not qualify under standard migration pathways or whose occupation is in demand in a regional area.
However, DAMA applications can be complex because requirements vary significantly between regions and occupations.
If you are considering a DAMA pathway, it is important to understand your eligibility and explore the most suitable visa option for your circumstances.
Need help understanding your DAMA options? Contact Pathway to Aus for personalised migration advice.
