Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

How does it work?

A DAMA has two tiers. The first is a five-year head agreement between the Government and a Designated Area Representative (DAR), usually a state or territory government or a regional body such as a chamber of commerce, a Regional Development Australia office or a local council. It lists the occupations covered and any agreed concessions to skilled visa rules. The second tier is individual labour agreements between the Government and employers in the region, which are generally in effect for five years.

Employers must first gain endorsement from the DAR, then lodge a labour agreement request online through ImmiAccount. Employers must show a genuine attempt to recruit Australian citizens and permanent residents first. A DAMA will not be endorsed where the industry is already covered by an Industry Labour Agreement. Once the agreement is approved, the business can nominate workers for the occupations in its region's head agreement.

The 13 DAMAs

What concessions can a DAMA include?

Each head agreement has its own occupations and its own negotiated concessions to skilled visa eligibility. These can differ from region to region, so look at the terms for the region where the job is. Concessions are agreed between the Government and the region and are reviewed each year by the representative.

What is changing?

The Department is supporting a transition to state and territory-led DAMAs. South Australia's two DAMAs were extended to 31 January 2027 while a new statewide agreement is negotiated, and Western Australia is moving its regional agreements to a single statewide DAMA. Approved labour agreements are not cancelled when a head agreement ends.