Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) Visa (Subclass 482 to Subclass 186)
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Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) Visa (Subclass 482 to Subclass 186)
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) isn’t a visa subclass in itself — it’s a special labour agreement between the Australian Government and a designated region (a state, territory or regional body) that gives eligible local employers access to a wider range of occupations and negotiated concessions than the standard skilled migration program allows.
DAMAs are especially valuable in regions and occupations where the standard occupation lists and salary requirements don’t reflect genuine local labour shortages.
How It Works
Employers in an approved DAMA region who cannot find a suitably skilled Australian worker can be endorsed to sponsor overseas workers under the agreement, using one of these visa subclasses:
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) — temporary visa, up to 4 years
- Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) — provisional visa, 5 years
- 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) — permanent residency
What Makes DAMA Different
- Broader occupation access
DAMA regions can access occupations, including many semi-skilled roles, not available under the standard national lists
- Concessions
depending on the region and occupation, DAMAs may offer reduced salary thresholds, relaxed English requirements, or reduced work experience requirements
- A pathway to PR for otherwise ineligible roles
many DAMA regions allow eligible 482 visa holders to transition to the permanent Subclass 186 visa (commonly after 2 years of employment), even in occupations that wouldn’t normally qualify
Eligibility
DAMA eligibility depends on both sides of the equation:
Employers must:
- Be operating in an approved DAMA region
- Gain endorsement from the region’s Designated Area Representative (DAR) before applying for a labour agreement
- Demonstrate a genuine attempt to recruit Australian workers first
- Meet financial viability and sponsorship obligation requirements
Workers must:
- Be nominated for an occupation covered by the relevant DAMA head agreement
- Meet the skills, qualifications, English and salary requirements set out in that specific agreement (which may include concessions on the standard thresholds)
- Meet standard health and character requirements
Getting Started
Because a DAMA is a regional agreement, not something an individual can apply for directly, the process always starts with an eligible employer:
- Employer confirms their business operates in an active DAMA region and occupation
- Employer seeks endorsement from the Designated Area Representative
- Employer requests a labour agreement through Home Affairs
- Once approved, the employer nominates the worker under the relevant visa subclass (482, 494 or 186)
- The worker lodges their visa application
🔗 Department of Home Affairs — official visa page: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/regional-migration/dama
Let Us Help
DAMA rules differ significantly from region to region, and each agreement has its own occupation list and concessions. Our migration agents can help you work out whether a DAMA pathway applies to your situation — whether you’re an employer trying to fill a genuine skills gap, or a skilled worker exploring your options.