A designated area migration agreement (DAMA) is a special initiative to address labour shortages in the regions. A designated area migration contract provides exemptions from the usual visa requirements, such as lower English and age thresholds. Here’s all you need to know about how a designated area migration contract works, the regions involved, and who can apply.
What is a Designated Area Migration contract?
A designated area migration agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian government and a regional government to help address regional labour shortages. The agreement facilitates the sponsorship of skilled workers from overseas by employers in the designated area under more flexible arrangements than other visa programs. These agreements are typically established for a period of five years, and use the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visas, which offer temporary and permanent residency for sponsored workers. Every DAMA is tailored to the region’s particular needs and economic conditions, allowing regional industries to meet skills shortages and support regional development.
Where are Assigned Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) in Australia?
There are several designated area migration agreements (DAMAs) in Australia to meet specific regional labour market needs. These include the Northern Territory, South Australia, Far North Queensland, the Goldfields in Western Australia, the Orana region in New South Wales, and the Pilbara. Migrants need to keep an eye on the most up-to-date list of DAMAs, as the list can often change.
DAMA Concession:
A DAMA has many concessions over regular visas. They typically include lower English language proficiency requirements, such as an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5.0 rather than 6.0, and lower salary requirements, which may be around 10% lower than market rates.
They also have higher maximum ages (50 or 55 years old), which widens the applicant pool. Many DAMAs also cover broader occupation lists, enabling employers in the region to address labour shortages in occupations that are not listed on the standard skilled occupation list, thus promoting local economic growth.
Applying with a Migration Agreement
To apply under an assigned area migration agreement, you must first have an employer in a designated region. The employer needs to apply for a DAMA labour agreement and nominate you. Then you apply for the visa with the designated area migration contract concessions. It’s like sponsoring, similar to other employer sponsorship, but with fewer conditions. A designated area migration deal may work well for you if you work closely with your employer.
Designated Migration Agreement to Permanent Residency
Many designated area migration agreement programs can lead to permanent residency. After working for your sponsor for a specified period (usually three years), you can apply for the subclass 186 visa via the designated space migration agreement. This makes a designated migration agreement an excellent option for those who may not qualify for standard migration due to age or English scores. Speak to a migration agent to see if a designated area migration contract suits you.
