Designated Area Migration Agreements
DAMA

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a type of Labour Agreement between the Australian Government and a regional authority. Each DAMA is negotiated to address the specific labour needs of a particular geographic region. DAMAs allow employers in the designated area to sponsor overseas workers in occupations and under conditions that would not be available under the standard subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa pathway.

The Designated Area Representative (DAR) for each region — typically a state or territory government department, a local council, or a regional development organisation — negotiates the DAMA with the Commonwealth Government. The DAR is also responsible for endorsing individual employers who want to access the agreement. Without DAR endorsement, an employer cannot access the DAMA, even if they are located in the designated area.

DAMAs were introduced to help regional employers who genuinely cannot find local workers to fill positions — particularly in industries like hospitality, tourism, aged care, agriculture, and retail trade. They provide a more flexible pathway than standard employer sponsorship, with concessions tailored to the regional labour market.

Each DAMA negotiates its own set of concessions, but the common concessions available in most DAMAs include:

One of the most significant recent developments in the DAMA framework is the inclusion of direct permanent residence pathways in most current DAMAs. This was a significant improvement over earlier DAMAs, which typically only provided temporary sponsorship.

The DAMA PR pathway typically works as follows:

Figures current at August 2026 — confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging.