DAMA Visa
DAMA Visa Australia Explained Eligibility, Benefits and PR Pathway
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is an employer-sponsored framework that helps designated regions address labour shortages by allowing approved employers to sponsor overseas workers in specified occupations, often with occupation-specific concessions.
Important: DAMA is not a separate visa. It is a labour agreement arrangement that can be used to support certain employer-sponsored visas. Eligibility and concessions vary by region and occupation, so you must always check the relevant DAMA agreement and occupation list before planning an application.
Benefits of DAMA
- Wider occupation list: DAMA includes many roles that are not available under GSM (189/190/491) or standard employer-sponsored pathways.
- TSMIT concession: Certain occupations may have a 10% TSMIT reduction, depending on the DAMA agreement and role.
- Age concessions: Some occupations may allow a higher age limit (up to 55 years) for PR pathways under the DAMA settings.
- English concessions: lower English requirements for many occupations.
- Covers lower skill levels: DAMA includes many Skills Level 3 and 4 occupations that are harder to sponsor through standard programs.
- May include non-ANZSCO roles: Some DAMAs do have non–ANZSCO / region-specific occupations.
- Reduced work experience: Some occupations requires less work experience compared to standard sponsorship pathways
What visas can be sponsored under DAMA?
Depending on the region and the approved labour agreement, employers may sponsor eligible workers under the labour agreement stream for the following visas:
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) – temporary
- Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) – regional provisional
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) – permanent (labour agreement stream – transition)
DAMA visa options
Subclass 482 (SID) – Labour Agreement stream
A temporary work visa (up to 4 years). You must have an employer in a DAMA region sponsoring you in an occupation on that region’s DAMA list. Some occupations may have concessions (e.g., age/English/experience). PR may be possible later in some regions/occupations (often via subclass 186) if you meet the required work period and other conditions.
Subclass 494 – Labour Agreement stream
A regional provisional visa (up to 5 years). You must live and work in the nominated regional area for an approved employer, in an occupation on the DAMA list. Concessions may apply. PR is commonly through subclass 191 after meeting residence and taxable income requirements, and in some situations other PR options may be available.
Subclass 186 – Labour Agreement stream
A common permanent residency pathway from a 482 DAMA is transitioning to the subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) – Labour Agreement stream.
If you hold a 482 DAMA visa, your employer must nominate you under the relevant approved labour agreement (which may include DAMA concessions). If the nomination and visa are approved, you will be granted permanent residency.
Important: DAMA settings are not the same everywhere. The occupation list, concessions and PR pathways depend on the specific DAMA region, your occupation, and the terms of the labour agreement for that employer.
Who is eligible for DAMA?
To be eligible, you generally need to:
- Have a genuine job offer from an employer located in the relevant DAMA region.
- Be nominated in an occupation on that region’s DAMA occupation list.
- Meet skills, experience, licensing/registration (if required), health and character requirements.
- Meet the English requirement for the visa, noting that concessions may apply for some occupations/regions.
Including family members
Most employer-sponsored visas supported by DAMA allow you to include eligible family members (partner and dependent children) in the application, subject to visa criteria.
DAMA regions
Australia has multiple DAMA regions across states and territories. Each DAMA has its own designated area coverage, occupation list, nomination limits (if applicable), and concession settings. Always check the specific region you are relying on.
South Australia DAMA (SA DAMA) - Step-by-step process
DAR endorsement or variation request
Apply through the SA Skilled and Business Migration Portal. Lodge an online application for DAR endorsement (or a variation request for an existing agreement). The DAR assesses the application against endorsement requirements.If endorsed, the DAR issues a Letter of Endorsement and notifies the Department of Home Affairs
DAMA labour agreement request (Home Affairs)
After receiving the Letter of Endorsement, request an individual DAMA labour agreement (or a variation of deed) with the Department of Home Affairs.Home Affairs assesses the request and notifies the employer of the outcome.
Nomination application (and visa application)
If the labour agreement (or variation) is approved, lodge the nomination application with the Department of Home Affairs The nominee then lodges the visa application under the relevant labour agreement stream (as applicable).
Endorsement requirements (summary)
- The business is actively operating in South Australia and has been lawfully operating for at least 12 months.
- The business is financially viable.
- There is no adverse history of failing workplace, work health and safety, or migration-related obligations.
- The business is seeking to fill full-time positions in the designated area with duties aligned to occupations on the SA DAMA occupation lists.
- Labour market testing has been completed and the role could not be filled locally.
- Employment terms are consistent with those offered to Australian workers in the region.
- Required declarations are completed and workforce planning details are provided (including any requested concessions, where relevant).
Fees and other costs
South Australia does not charge fees for DAR endorsement or for entering into a labour agreement with the Commonwealth. However, other costs may apply, including nomination fees, the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, visa application charges, and professional/evidence costs (translations, skills assessments, licences/registration).
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FAQs
Potentially, yes—but it depends on the agreement and the occupation. PR pathways are usually through:
- ENS 186 (Labour Agreement stream) (where available), and/or
- 191 after holding 494 and meeting residence and income requirements
DAMA visas are employer sponsored. If you change employers, the new employer generally needs to be approved under DAMA settings (endorsement/labour agreement/nomination steps may be required again). Always get advice before moving, because timing and visa conditions matter.
Yes, potentially. If you are sponsored under a DAMA labour agreement and your occupation allows an age concession, you may still be eligible to transition to PR through the labour agreement stream, even after turning 45. Age concessions are occupation-specific, so we need to check the SA DAMA occupation list and the labour agreement terms to confirm what applies to your role.
Generally, no. If you lodge a valid application before you turn 55, and your occupation has an applicable age concession under the relevant labour agreement/DAMA, Home Affairs will not refuse the application simply because you turn 55 while it is being processed.
However, you must still meet all other visa and DAMA requirements at the time of decision.
There are several reasons a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) may be a good option, for example:
- Your occupation isn’t on the standard visa lists (e.g., the regular 482 occupation list). A DAMA may have your occupation in the list .
- You are over the usual age limit (45 for PR pathways). Some DAMA occupations may offer an age concession (e.g., up to 10 years) under the relevant labour agreement.
- Your English level doesn’t meet the standard requirement for the mainstream visa pathway. Some DAMAs may allow English concessions, depending on the occupation and agreement terms.
- You have less work experience than what is typically required under the standard pathway. In some cases, a DAMA may allow experience concessions, subject to the specific agreement and the employer’s eligibility.
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