DAMA Regions in Australia offer overseas workers opportunities to work in areas facing skill and labour shortages. Each region has its own occupation list, eligibility criteria, sponsorship conditions, and possible concessions. Understanding these regional agreements can help skilled workers identify suitable opportunities and explore pathways to live and work in Australia.
Table Of Content
1What is DAMA in Australia?2What are the DAMA Regions in Australia3DAMA Regions in Australia4What Visas are available under DAMA in Australia?5DAMA Jobs in Australia6DAMA Approved Companies in Australia7Conclusion8Frequently Asked Questions
What is DAMA in Australia?
DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) is a regional migration arrangement designed to help Australian employers fill ongoing skill and labour shortages. It allows approved employers in participating regional areas to sponsor eligible overseas workers for specific in-demand occupations.
The DAMA pathway can offer greater flexibility than standard skilled migration. Depending on the region, it may include additional occupations and concessions for requirements such as English proficiency, salary thresholds, age, and skills assessments.
Workers cannot apply for DAMA directly. They need a job offer from an eligible employer in a designated DAMA region. The applicant must also meet the occupation, visa, health, character, and other requirements under the relevant agreement.
What are the DAMA Regions in Australia?
Here is a list of DAMA regions in Australia as of 2026:
1. Northern Territory DAMA
2. Western Australian DAMA
3. Goldfields DAMA
4. Pilbara DAMA
5. South West DAMA
6. East Kimberley DAMA
7. Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement DAMA
8. South Australian Regional DAMA
9. Orana DAMA
10. Far North Queensland DAMA
11. Townsville North Queensland DAMA
12. Goulburn Valley DAMA
13. Great South Coast DAMA
These DAMA regions offer diverse opportunities for skilled workers across Australia.
DAMA Regions in Australia
1. Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement DAMA
The Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement (ACTIA) DAMA addresses skill shortages across the Adelaide metropolitan region. It allows eligible South Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers in selected occupations, particularly across defence, space, advanced manufacturing, technology, and related industries.
The agreement can provide access to occupations and certain concessions that may not be available through standard skilled migration pathways. Eligibility depends on the occupation, employer, and applicable visa requirements.
If you are looking for DAMA jobs in Adelaide, check whether your occupation appears on the current ACTIA occupation list and whether the employer is eligible to sponsor under the agreement.
2. East Kimberley DAMA
The East Kimberley DAMA helps employers in the East Kimberley region address local workforce shortages by providing access to eligible overseas workers in selected occupations.
The agreement covers specific occupations and may offer concessions to standard skilled visa requirements, based on regional labour needs and the applicable occupation.
If you are considering DAMA jobs in East Kimberley, check the current occupation list and ensure that the prospective employer and position meet the requirements of the DAMA.
3. Far North Queensland DAMA
The Far North Queensland DAMA supports employers across the region in addressing ongoing shortages by sponsoring eligible overseas workers for approved occupations.
It provides access to selected occupations and may include concessions designed around the region’s workforce needs. The available occupations and requirements can vary under the agreement.
Those considering DAMA jobs in Far North Queensland can review the current occupation list and confirm that your proposed employer and position qualify under the DAMA.
4. Goulburn Valley DAMA
The Goulburn Valley is another DAMA regions in Australia that helps employers in the region access overseas workers for occupations where local recruitment cannot meet workforce demand.
The agreement covers selected occupations and may provide concessions to certain visa requirements. These conditions depend on the occupation, employer, and applicable DAMA terms.
If you are exploring DAMA jobs in Goulburn Valley, check whether your occupation is included and whether the employer can sponsor you under the agreement.
5. Great South Coast DAMA
The Great South Coast DAMA supports employers across the region by providing access to overseas workers in occupations experiencing local skill and labour shortages.
Eligible occupations may benefit from additional migration options and certain concessions under the agreement. Requirements vary depending on the occupation and visa pathway.
Anyone looking at DAMA jobs in Great South Coast can check the current occupation list and confirm that both the employer and position meet the relevant requirements.
6. Northern Territory DAMA
The Northern Territory DAMA helps employers across the NT recruit overseas workers for occupations affected by persistent workforce shortages.
The agreement provides access to a broader range of occupations and may include concessions to standard skilled migration requirements. The available options depend on the occupation and employer.
If you are considering DAMA jobs in the Northern Territory, check the current occupation list and make sure your prospective employer is eligible to sponsor under the NT DAMA.
7. Orana DAMA
The Orana DAMA helps employers across the Orana region address workforce shortages by sponsoring eligible overseas workers for approved occupations.
The agreement covers occupations linked to the region’s labour market needs and may provide certain concessions to standard visa requirements.
If you are interested in DAMA jobs in Orana, check the current occupation list and confirm that your skills, proposed position, and employer meet the DAMA requirements.
8. Pilbara DAMA
Another DAMA regions in Australia is the Pilbara DAMA, which supports employers in one of Western Australia’s major resource regions by providing access to overseas workers for occupations facing local shortages.
It covers selected occupations and may offer concessions to standard migration requirements based on regional workforce needs.
If you are looking for DAMA jobs in Pilbara, check whether your occupation is included in the current agreement and whether your prospective employer is eligible to sponsor overseas workers.
9. South Australian Regional DAMA
The South Australian Regional DAMA addresses workforce shortages across regional South Australia by allowing eligible employers to sponsor overseas workers in approved occupations.
The agreement covers occupations across industries such as health, agriculture, hospitality, construction, and other regional sectors. Certain concessions may also be available depending on the occupation.
If you are considering DAMA jobs in regional South Australia, check the current South Australia Skilled Occupation List and confirm that your employer and proposed position meet the agreement requirements.
10. South West DAMA
The South West DAMA helps employers in the South West region of Western Australia recruit overseas workers for occupations affected by local skill and labour shortages.
It provides access to selected occupations and may include concessions to standard visa requirements, depending on the occupation and applicable conditions.
If you are exploring DAMA jobs in South West WA, check the current occupation list and ensure that your prospective employer and position are eligible under the DAMA.
11. The Goldfields DAMA
The Goldfields DAMA supports employers in the Goldfields region of Western Australia by providing access to overseas workers for occupations that are difficult to fill locally.
The agreement includes selected occupations and may provide concessions to standard skilled migration requirements based on regional workforce needs.
Those targeting Goldfields DAMA jobs should confirm the current occupation list and confirm that your skills and prospective employment meet the relevant DAMA requirements.
12. Townsville DAMA
The Townsville DAMA helps employers in the Townsville region address workforce shortages by sponsoring eligible overseas workers in approved occupations.
It provides access to occupations identified as important to the region and may include concessions under the relevant visa pathways.
Workers interested in Townsville can review whether your occupation is included in the current DAMA list and whether your proposed employer is eligible to sponsor you.
13. Western Australia DAMA
The Western Australia DAMA provides employers across the state with access to overseas workers in occupations experiencing workforce shortages.
It expands the range of occupations available through the agreement and may provide certain concessions to standard skilled migration requirements, depending on the occupation and applicant.
Applicants exploring Western Australia DAMA jobs should check the current occupation list and confirm that your proposed employer, position, and qualifications meet the relevant DAMA requirements.
What Visas are available under DAMA in Australia?
Under DAMA regions in Australia, employers sponsor workers through specific visa subclasses that are tied to the labour agreement. The main Australia Skilled Visas available are:
1. Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand (SID) Australia Subclass 482 Visa allows eligible Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they cannot fill certain positions with local workers.
Under a DAMA, however, an employer may be able to sponsor eligible overseas workers through the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) for occupations included in the relevant regional agreement. This can include occupations that are not available through the standard skilled migration program.
2. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa subclass 494 allows eligible employers in designated regional areas to sponsor skilled overseas workers for positions that cannot be filled locally.
Through a DAMA, employers may also sponsor workers for occupations listed in the relevant regional agreement, with possible concessions relating to English, salary, age, or skills requirements. This visa can also provide a pathway to permanent residence through subclass 191.
3. Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa subclass 186 is a permanent visa that allows eligible employers to nominate skilled overseas workers for permanent residence in Australia.
Under a DAMA, eligible workers may instead access the Labour Agreement stream of subclass 186 if the relevant DAMA includes a permanent residence pathway. The specific requirements, however, including work experience, age, English, and occupation criteria, depend on the regional agreement.
DAMA Jobs in Australia
DAMA job options in Australia are determined by the individual Designated Area Migration Agreement and the labour shortages identified within that area
Based on the location, eligible DAMA roles can be found in sectors including:
Keep in mind that the same occupation may not be available in every DAMA location. Each regional agreement has a separate occupation list, different employer sponsorship conditions, and its own eligibility rules and concessions.
- Healthcare and nursing
- Aged care and disability support
- Hospitality and tourism
- Construction and building services
- Skilled trades
- Agriculture and horticulture
- Manufacturing and meat processing
- Automotive and vehicle repair
- Mining and resources
- Engineering and technical services
- Transport and logistics
- Information technology and telecommunications
- Community and social services
- Education and childcare
- Retail and customer service
Before applying, candidates should identify the DAMA regions in Australia they are interested in, review its updated occupation list, and secure sponsorship from an approved employer in that region.
DAMA Approved Companies in Australia
- A.N. Cooke Manufacturing Company Proprietary Limited
- Australian Country Choice Production Pty Ltd
- Borg Manufacturing Pty Limited
- Davey Water Products Pty Ltd
- DUX Manufacturing Ltd
- Canon Production Printing Australia Pty Ltd
- Flying Bark Productions Pty Ltd
- Roche Products Pty Ltd
These companies are not confirmed as current DAMA employers in every region. You should confirm their current DAMA status, location, and occupation availability directly before applying
Conclusion
DAMA regions in Australia can provide overseas workers with opportunities to work in regional Australia through employer sponsorship, with access to selected occupations and possible concessions. Since requirements vary by region, occupation, and employer, applicants should check the relevant agreement before applying. For the latest eligibility, visa, and DAMA information, refer to the official Australian Department of Home Affairs – DAMA page.
