Look, if you are running a business in regional Australia and you cannot find workers, you have probably hit the same wall my clients hit. The occupation is not on the skilled list. The salary threshold is too high for regional wages. The candidate's English is good but not quite "competent."
A Designated Area Migration Agreement might be the way through.
What Is a DAMA?
A DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a regional representative. Usually a state, territory, or regional body. It exists because standard skilled visa programs were designed for capital cities. They do not always fit regional realities.
There are currently 13 DAMAs across Australia. Each covers different regions with different occupations and different concessions. The Northern Territory DAMA that took effect in March 2025 enables employers to access an additional 1,500 overseas workers annually. That is not a small number.
How DAMAs Work
DAMAs operate through two tiers.
The Head Agreement
This is a five-year agreement between the government and the regional representative. It sets out which occupations are available and what concessions apply. You do not negotiate this. It already exists.
Your Individual Labour Agreement
Once a head agreement exists, your business can apply for its own labour agreement under that DAMA. These are also generally five years. This is where your specific needs get addressed.
Why Employers Use DAMAs
I have seen businesses transform their operations with these agreements. Here is what they offer:
• Access to more occupations: Roles that are not on standard skilled lists can be included
• Concessions to visa requirements: Some DAMAs reduce English language, age, or salary thresholds
• A targeted solution: Designed specifically for regional workforce shortages, not generic national policies
The concessions matter. A hospitality business in Darwin is not competing with Melbourne wages. The DAMA recognises that.
The Process
1. Check eligibility: Your business must operate in a designated region
2. Confirm occupation: The role must be on the relevant DAMA head agreement
3. Recruit locally first: You must demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit Australians
4. Get DAR endorsement: The regional representative must endorse your request
5. Lodge labour agreement request: Submit through ImmiAccount
6. Nominate and sponsor: Once approved, you can nominate workers under Subclass 482, 494, or 186
That local recruitment requirement is not a box-tick. Document everything. The Department will check.
What Should You Do?
If you are in regional Australia and standard visa pathways are not working, find out whether a DAMA covers your region. The occupations and concessions vary by agreement. What works in the Northern Territory will not match what is available in South Australia.
Do not assume you are stuck. Book a consultation and we will assess whether a DAMA can solve your workforce problem.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your specific circumstances, book a consultation.
