The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) was created by the Department of Home Affairs to facilitate a flexible approach to hiring migrants in industries experiencing skill and labour shortages. The DAMA program is currently only available in the Northern Territory.

Under the DAMA program, employers can sponsor skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers where workers are unable to be sourced within the local market. This program acts as an agreement-based framework with certain employers who apply to sponsor a migrant under the DAMA program.

The difference between the DAMA program and other employer-sponsored visa programs (such as the 482 visa or 186 visa etc) is that the DAMA program provides flexibility on meeting nomination and visa criteria not offered through other employment migration programs.

This flexibility includes:

• Eligible businesses have access to occupations not available through the standard employment programs (such as the 482 visa) occupations lists;
• Concessions on the required English requirements for visa applicants; and
• Concessions on the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)- TSMIT is the minimum amount for skilled migrations to be paid through temporary employment programs (such as the subclass 482 visa)

There are certain requirements which an employer and a visa applicant must meet to be eligible for the DAMA program in the Northern Territory.

If you would like to discuss the DAMA program and see whether you are eligible, or want to obtain a complete list of the occupations included within the Agreement, please contact Brett Slater Solicitors for a consultation with an Expert Immigration Lawyer.

Contact: or call 02 9299 5818 today.