Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a state or territory government or regional authority. It provides access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program. DAMAs operate under an agreement-based framework, providing flexibility for regions to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions.
DAMAs ensure employers recruit Australian citizens and permanent residents as a first priority. Among other things, employers must demonstrate a genuine attempt to recruit Australians prior to getting access to a DAMA labour agreement.
Find more information here Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
OCCUPATION AND CONCESSION LIST
Each occupation is eligible for a specific set of concessions. To find out what occupations are currently available and which concessions they are eligible for check the list below.
RDA ORANA DAMA
The RDA Orana DAMA was approved in 2019. Now in its fifth year and granted a 12-month extension with territory expansion. The DAMA will provide businesses with an avenue to address current workforce shortages and to support future workforce planning where all local options have been exhausted.
REGIONS COVERED BY THE DAMA
The following local government areas of the Southern NSW and ACT region are now included in the RDA Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA):
Wingecarribee
Goulburn-Mulwaree
Yass Valley
Upper Lachlan
Hilltops
Queanbeyan-Palerang
Snowy-Monaro
Being an Inland DAMA we understand some businesses in our coastal regions may wish us to advocate to be included. Please contact migration@rdasna.org.au to express your interest.
ADDING OCCUPATIONS TO THE DAMA
The Orana DAMA can only be varied once a year. If there is an occupation or region that you think should be added to the list, please email us at migration@rdasna.org.au.
YOU APPLY
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Please ensure you have all the necessary documents by downloading the DAMA document checklist here.
LABOUR MARKET TESTING
Before you can request endorsement, you will need to show that you have tested the local labour market by advertising the position in Australia. This is known as Labour Market Testing (LMT). This advertising must meet the criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs. Please review the factsheet below for more information.
TSMIT AND AMSR
Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
Nominators need to demonstrate that they have determined the AMSR and that the overseas skilled worker will not be paid less than this amount (i.e. less than what an Australian worker would be paid)
Temporary Skilled Migration Threshold - TSMIT
Both the AMSR and what the overseas skilled worker will be paid, excluding any non-monetary benefits in both cases, must be no less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) – i.e. currently AUD73,150 excluding superannuation
COMPLETE THE ENDORSEMENT REQUEST FORM
The request form is available on the Orana DAMA website, or you can download it below.
SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Submit your request here.
NOTE: You will not be able to submit your request unless you have all of the necessary documents ready to upload along with your completed and signed ‘Request for Endorsement’ form.
NEED MORE ASSISTANCE?
RDA Southern NSW & ACT are not able to provide migration advice. If you require further assistance or advice on your visa application, you may wish to seek the advice of a registered migration agent.
You can find out more about choosing a migration agent at the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
You can also find out more about who can and cannot legally provide migration advice here: https://www.mara.gov.au/get-help-with-a-visa/helpers-not-registered