A DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian government and a regional authority to attract skilled and semi-skilled workers for high-demand jobs that cannot be filled by local workers. This agreement allows employers in specific regions to sponsor foreign workers under special visa conditions, making it easier to fill critical skill shortages.
Key Benefits of DAMA:
- Expanded Occupation List: DAMA includes a wider range of occupations than standard skilled lists.
- Age Concessions: Applicants may be up to 55 years old, depending on the specific DAMA region.
- Reduced English Requirements: Lower English language proficiency is required, making it more accessible for semi-skilled professionals.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: DAMA offers a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 or 494 visas.
- Salary Concessions: DAMA provides streamlined salary thresholds that are better aligned with regional market rates.
Visa Subclasses under DAMA:
- Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa
- Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
- Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (Permanent Residency)
Eligibility for Applicants:
To be eligible for a DAMA visa, you must:
- Be a skilled or semi-skilled worker with the required qualifications or experience.
- Have a job offer from an employer in an approved DAMA region.
- Receive an endorsement from the relevant regional authority.
- Meet Australia's standard health and character requirements.
FAQs
A DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a specific regional area. It's designed to help employers in that region sponsor overseas workers for jobs that cannot be filled by the local labor market, often with concessions to standard visa requirements.
Yes, one of the key benefits of the DAMA is that it provides a clear pathway to permanent residency. Workers on a DAMA-sponsored visa (such as the Subclass 494) may become eligible to apply for the permanent Subclass 191 visa after fulfilling specific work and residency requirements in the designated regional area.
DAMA agreements often provide concessions that make it easier for applicants to qualify. These can include:
- An expanded list of eligible occupations, including semi-skilled roles.
- Higher age limits (up to 55 years in some regions).
- Lower English language proficiency requirements.
- Salary concessions aligned with regional market rates.
No, employer sponsorship is mandatory for a DAMA visa. You must first secure a job offer from an approved employer in a DAMA-designated region who has a labor agreement under the DAMA.
DAMA agreements use several visa subclasses, including the temporary Subclass 482 (TSS) visa and the provisional Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visa. The pathway to permanent residency is typically through the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa or the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence Skilled Regional) visa.