A DAMA stands for “designated area migration agreement” and is an agreement negotiated between the Department of Home Affairs for the Commonwealth and a regional state or territory authority, such as a local council, to cover a specific regional area. It is usually available for a period of five years.
The purpose of DAMA agreement is that businesses in regional areas can sponsor international individuals in different occupations other than the ones on the 482 (temporary skill shortage list) and 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional list).
There are a couple of benefits that local Governments and sponsoring businesses have once there is a DAMA agreement in place. Some of them are:
- Possibility of supply the needs with labour shortages;
- Concessions in relation to semi-skilled workers;
- Concessions in relation to English language requirements;
- Concessions in relation to minimum salary requirements;
- Assistance with established businesses to cover the needs caused by the labour shortage;
- DAMA includes skills not listed on ANZSCO.
Whilst all regional areas are eligible for DAMA agreement, it does not mean that all regional area have a DAMA agreement in place with the Department of Home Affairs for all occupation. The regional areas covered by DAMA agreement can be found on the link below.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-
workers/nominating-a-position/labour-agreements/designated-area-migration-agreements
If you are unsure whether your regional area has a DAMA agreement in place with the Department of Home Affairs, please do not hesitate to contact us on (02) 9189 2988 or ross@crystalmigration.net