Look into the various state and territory Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) – Alternative pathways for Australian permanent residency
The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is an agreement between the Department of Home Affairs and a Designated Area Representative to fill recognised labour shortages in designated areas with overseas workers. The DAMA allows for regional employers to negotiate unique employment visa provisions with the Department of Home Affairs based on their local economic and labour market needs.
This provides employers with flexibility in sponsoring skilled and semi-skilled workers if Australian citizens and permanent residents can not be sourced to fill in the vacant positions. The list of additional occupations on the various negotiated DAMA agreements are quite extensive and are not sponsorable occupations in Australian cities and regions that are not covered by a DAMA.
The following regions of Australia have entered into a five-year Designated Area Migration Agreements with the Department of Home Affairs.
Queensland
On 13 May 2019, the Far North Queensland DAMA was signed between the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Home Affairs. The agreement covers the Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Mareeba, Cairns and the Douglas Shire. The DAMA is designed to assist the region in the tourism, hospitality, agriculture, shipping and health sectors in Far North Queensland. The date the agreement comes into effect is yet to be announced.
New South Wales
On 5 April 2019, the Orana DAMA was signed between Regional Development Australia and the Department of Home Affairs. The DAMA covers 25% of NSW and includes the areas of Dubbo Regional, Mid-Western Regional, Narromine, Gilgandra, Coonabarabran, Bogan, Cobar, Bourke, Walgett, Coonamble, Warren and Brewarrina. The details and date the agreement comes into effect are yet to be announced.
Victoria
On 8 December 2018, Warrnambool City Council and the Department of Home Affairs announced the The Greater South Coast DAMA which covers the municipal districts of Warrnambool City, the Moyne, Corangamite, Colac-Otway, Glenelg and Southern Grampians Shires of Victoria. The agreement is designed to assist the local agriculture and hospitality sectors. The date the agreement comes into effect is yet to be announced.
South Australia
There are two DAMA’s in South Australia, one covering the Adelaide Metropolitan region called the Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement. The second DAMA is called the South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement and covers the entire state of South Australia.
The Adelaide agreement is meant to enhance South Australia’s aim to be a technological hub and covers occupations in Adelaide’s defence, space, manufacturing and technological industries.
The South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement is to assist South Australia’s high growth industries of agribusiness, forestry, health and social services, tourism and hospitality, construction and mining.
Both these DAMA’s will come into effect on 1 July 2019.
Western Australia
On March 2019, The Department of Home Affairs and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder signed the Goldfields DAMA. The DAMA covers the city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and shires of Coolgardie, Leonora and Menzies. The details and date the agreement comes into effect are yet to be announced, though more details are to be made available to the public in June 2019.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory DAMA covers the whole territory and is designed to assist beef cattle, agriculture, childcare, health, tourism and hospitality sectors of the Australian economy.
The Northern Territory has been covered by DAMA agreement’s since 2015.
Tasmania
Tasmania is yet to announce any DAMA agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
Any questions?
If you have any questions regarding Australian visas, please contact our Registered Migration Agents/Senior Solicitor Preeti D'silva (MARN 0530747) or Noelle Coorey (MARN: 0963253). For further details please visit https://betterlifemigration.com/visa-consultation-service/
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