How does it work?
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is an agreement between the Australian Government and a Designated Area Representative (DAR), in this case, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana in New South Wales.
The Orana DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program, and individual workers cannot apply for a visa independently.
The Orana DAMA utilises the labour agreement stream of the Temporary Skills Shortage visa (TSS subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (SESR subclass 494) and the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS subclass 186). Following endorsement from RDA Orana, businesses apply for and enter into a labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs. Endorsed employers then lodge a nomination for the position required, and workers then apply for and may be granted a TSS Subclass 482, SESR Subclass 494 or ENS Subclass 186 visa.
Note: some semi-skilled occupations are only eligible to apply for the TSS visa under the Orana DAMA.
RDA Orana has negotiated an agreement for the Orana region that includes specific occupations and conditions that will assist our region to address our most acute labour shortages. You can find the DAMA Skills List HERE.
Essential elements of the Orana DAMA:
- It is a pathway to permanent residency for Orana DAMA visa holders
- It caters for a broad range of occupations that reflect skilled and semi-skilled shortages in the Orana
- It offers English language concessions for some occupations
- It offers salary concessions that reflect the Orana regions market rates, ensuring that local worker terms and conditions of employment are not eroded
- It incorporates a range of risk and integrity actions to ensure that the rights of both employees and employers are protected.
- It is a five-year agreement.
