A DAMA sponsorship guide starts with one important fact: you cannot apply for a DAMA by yourself.
You need an Australian employer operating in a participating DAMA area to sponsor you for an eligible occupation.
That makes finding the right employer just as important as meeting the visa requirements.
DAMAs can also open occupations and concessions that may not be available under standard skilled visa programs.
But every DAMA has its own occupation list, regional coverage and conditions.
This DAMA sponsorship guide explains how the process works and how to prepare for employer discussions.
Sam Lotfollahi · MARN 0901704 ↗
Founder, Millennium Migration · Australian Registered Migration Agent · 10 min read · ★ Google reviews
Published 19 October 2026 · Updated 19 October 2026 · Sources checked 19 October 2026
Principal at Millennium Migration · Melbourne and Adelaide · Seventeen years of migration practice.
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Download Free DAMA Sponsorship Guide PDFThe short version
- You cannot directly access a DAMA without an employer.
- Your employer must operate within the relevant designated area.
- Your occupation must be available under that DAMA.
- The employer must obtain endorsement from the Designated Area Representative (DAR) before requesting a DAMA labour agreement.
- The employer then seeks a DAMA labour agreement and nominates you.
- Visa pathways can include subclasses 482, 494 and 186.
- Some DAMAs offer concessions, but these vary by occupation and region.
Contents
DAMA sponsorship guide: what is a DAMA?
DAMA stands for Designated Area Migration Agreement.
It is an agreement between the Australian Government and a state, territory or regional authority.
DAMAs allow participating regions to respond to labour shortages with additional occupations and negotiated settings.
The Department of Home Affairs describes the system as a two-tier structure.
First, the Government agrees on the overarching DAMA with the Designated Area Representative.
Individual businesses can then seek their own labour agreements under that regional framework.
The DAMA itself does not sponsor you.
You still need an eligible Australian business willing to offer the job and go through the sponsorship process.
DAMA sponsorship guide: how the process works
The exact process varies, but the general sequence is:
- Find an eligible employer in a DAMA area.
- Confirm your occupation is available under that DAMA.
- The employer demonstrates its need for the position and local recruitment efforts.
- The employer seeks endorsement from the regional Designated Area Representative.
- The employer applies for an individual DAMA labour agreement.
- The employer lodges the relevant nomination.
- You lodge the visa application linked to that nomination.
Depending on the agreement, the pathway may use the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494), or Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
A subclass 482 Labour Agreement applicant generally needs at least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience, or equivalent, within the last five years.
Different terms can apply where the individual DAMA agreement provides otherwise.
Use this DAMA sponsorship guide as a starting point. Check the individual agreement, any required skills assessment, and the visa’s health, character and English requirements before relying on a concession.
DAMA sponsorship guide: the 13 current agreements
Home Affairs listed 13 DAMAs as current when this guide was checked on 19 October 2026.
| State / Territory | DAMA |
|---|---|
| South Australia | Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement |
| South Australia | South Australia Regional |
| Western Australia | Western Australia DAMA |
| Western Australia | East Kimberley |
| Western Australia | Pilbara |
| Western Australia | South West |
| Western Australia | Goldfields |
| Queensland | Far North Queensland |
| Queensland | Townsville |
| Victoria | Great South Coast |
| Victoria | Goulburn Valley |
| New South Wales | Orana |
| Northern Territory | Northern Territory DAMA |
Goldfields update: the current Goldfields DAMA has been extended to 31 December 2026.
Confirm the current application cut-off directly with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder before lodging. The agreement’s expiry date is not necessarily the last date for endorsement applications.
Do all DAMAs have the same occupation list?
No.
This is one of the most important points in any DAMA sponsorship guide.
Each agreement responds to different labour shortages.
An occupation available in Northern Territory may not be available in South Australia, Victoria or Queensland.
Occupation availability can also change when agreements are reviewed or replaced.
Check the current regional occupation list before approaching employers.
DAMA sponsorship guide: build a suitable CV
The CV advice in this DAMA sponsorship guide aims to help an employer see why you fit the vacancy.
Use the Australian occupation title you are genuinely targeting near the top.
Include a short professional summary, relevant licences, English results and willingness to relocate.
For every job, include exact employment dates, actual duties and measurable responsibilities.
Keep the document focused, preferably around two pages.
Prepare employment references, payslips and other evidence before an employer asks for them.
Think like the employer.
They need to assess whether you can do the job and whether your background can support a visa nomination.
Qualifications and licences that may strengthen your profile
For this DAMA sponsorship guide, treat the table below as preparation ideas. The required qualifications and licences depend on the occupation, location and agreement.
| Sector | Useful preparation |
|---|---|
| Aged care | Relevant individual support qualifications and current care experience |
| Hospitality | Commercial cookery qualifications, food safety training and relevant experience |
| Transport & logistics | Heavy vehicle, forklift or relevant machinery licences where required |
| Construction | Trade qualifications, licences and Australian construction induction where applicable |
| Agriculture | Machinery, livestock or production experience supported by evidence |
| Childcare | Relevant early childhood qualifications and required regulatory checks |
An English test is also worth preparing early.
Do not assume the same English concession applies across every DAMA or occupation.
Before paying for a course, check recognition, licensing and any skills assessment with the relevant authority. A course or licence alone does not secure a job, sponsorship or a visa.
DAMA sponsorship guide: find and approach employers
The employer search is often the hardest part of the process.
Target one or two DAMA regions rather than applying randomly across Australia.
Search SEEK, Indeed, Workforce Australia and regional employer websites for relevant vacancies.
Home Affairs also publishes a list of current labour agreements held by businesses.
That list can help identify employers already familiar with the sponsorship process.
Use the official current labour agreements list alongside this DAMA sponsorship guide. Not every listed agreement is a DAMA, and an entry does not prove that a business has a vacancy or is willing to sponsor you.
Your first message should be short and specific.
Explain your occupation, years of experience, licences, English level and willingness to relocate.
Explain honestly why the region and role suit you. State your current location and work rights accurately, and avoid promising a visa outcome.
Never pay an employer for sponsorship.
Home Affairs states that receiving or providing a benefit in return for visa sponsorship is illegal.
Sponsors must pay the costs of becoming a sponsor and nominating and sponsoring an applicant. They cannot transfer those costs to the worker or family members.
DAMA sponsorship guide: permanent residence options
Potentially, yes.
DAMA labour agreements can use the subclass 186 permanent visa as well as subclasses 482 and 494.
A 482 Labour Agreement holder may later qualify for employer-sponsored permanent residence where the agreement permits it.
A subclass 494 holder may qualify for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). This requires at least three years holding an eligible visa and compliance with its conditions, as well as the other criteria.
Home Affairs also requires Australian Taxation Office notices of assessment for three income years out of the five years of the eligible visa. There is currently no minimum income requirement. Check the subclass 191 requirements when planning a permanent pathway.
However, a DAMA job offer is not automatically a guarantee of permanent residency.
The occupation, agreement terms, age, employment history and future visa criteria all need to be checked.
Common DAMA sponsorship mistakes
- Searching for employers before confirming your occupation is actually listed.
- Applying to businesses outside the relevant DAMA area.
- Using a generic CV that does not match the target occupation.
- Having no documentary evidence for past employment.
- Assuming concessions are identical across all DAMAs.
- Promising an employer that the visa process will be simple or automatic.
- Paying someone for a job offer or sponsorship.
Frequently asked questions about the DAMA sponsorship guide
Employer and visa basics
Can I apply for a DAMA visa without an employer?
No. Individuals cannot directly access a DAMA. You need an eligible employer operating in the designated area.
How many DAMAs are operating in Australia?
Home Affairs listed 13 DAMAs when this DAMA sponsorship guide was checked on 19 October 2026. Check the current list and the relevant regional authority before acting.
Which visas can be used through a DAMA?
DAMA labour agreements can use the subclass 482, subclass 494 and subclass 186 visa programs. The available pathway depends on the agreement and your circumstances.
Occupations and permanent pathways
Does every DAMA offer the same occupations?
No. Each DAMA has its own occupation settings based on the workforce needs of that designated area.
Do DAMAs offer English or other concessions?
Some agreements include negotiated concessions. The exact concession depends on the DAMA and occupation, so check the applicable terms.
Can DAMA sponsorship lead to permanent residency?
Potentially. Permanent pathways can include subclass 186 or, for eligible subclass 494 holders, subclass 191.
Employer search and costs
Where should I look for DAMA employers?
Start with DAMA regions, current labour agreement holders and job platforms such as SEEK and Workforce Australia. Confirm that the employer has a genuine vacancy and can use the relevant agreement.
Can I pay an employer to sponsor me?
No. Home Affairs states that paying or providing a benefit in return for visa sponsorship is illegal.
Get the Full DAMA Sponsorship Checklist
Download the free Millennium Migration PDF before you start contacting Australian employers.
Download the DAMA GuideFound an employer willing to discuss DAMA sponsorship?
Use this DAMA sponsorship guide to prepare for a review of the occupation, regional agreement and visa pathway before making commitments.
Millennium Migration can assess both the worker and employer side of the proposed sponsorship.
See our employer-sponsored visa services to discuss the proposed role and agreement.
Free visa assessment Book a consultationRelated reading
- Employer Sponsored Visas: 482, 186 and 494
- 186 vs 494: Employer Sponsored Visa Comparison
- Changing Sponsor on a 482 or 494 Visa
- Explore Australian Visa Pathways
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs — Designated Area Migration Agreements . Verified 19 October 2026.
- Department of Home Affairs — Labour Agreements . Verified 19 October 2026.
- Department of Home Affairs — Skills in Demand 482 Labour Agreement Stream . Verified 19 October 2026.
- Department of Home Affairs — Sponsorship Costs and Paying for Sponsorship . Verified 19 October 2026.
- City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder — Goldfields DAMA . Verified 19 October 2026.
- City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder — Goldfields extension announcement. Checked 19 October 2026.
- Department of Home Affairs — Subclass 191 Regional Provisional. Checked 19 October 2026.
- Department of Home Affairs — Current labour agreements. Checked 19 October 2026.
General information only, not migration advice. DAMA occupation lists, concessions and agreement terms can change. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances.
Sources checked on 19 October 2026. Recheck regional intake dates, occupations and agreement terms before applying.
Sam Lotfollahi, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 0901704, leads Millennium Migration.