Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)

 

A DAMA is a legally binding contract between the Australian Government and a regional, state, or territory authority. This agreement facilitates access to a greater number of overseas employees than what is available through the standard skilled migration program. DAMAs operate under an agreement-based structure, giving flexibility for regions to adjust to their unique economic and labour market conditions.

This agreement emphasizes South Australia’s provincial high-growth sectors such as agricultural services, forestry, health and social care, tourism, hospitality, construction, and mining. The South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement is the Designated Area Migration Agreement that encompasses the entire area of South Australia.

The Designated Area Migration Agreement in South Australia gives employers the opportunity to bring in skilled employees from abroad for positions that cannot be filled with local employees. Companies dealing with a lack of skilled personnel and labour can file an application for permission to establish a DAMA labour agreement. By doing this, these entities are able to provide sponsorship for both skilled and semi-skilled foreign employees with conditions that are more flexible than the standard skilled visa programs.

 

South Australian DAMA Agreements

The South Australian Government has entered into two DAMAs:

Adelaide Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement

The Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement are the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) which applies to metropolitan Adelaide. This accord concentrates on Adelaide’s high-tech thriving businesses, including defence, space, technology, and contemporary manufacturing industries.

South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement

This arrangement is centred around South Australia’s provincial high-growth businesses, such as agribusiness, forestry, health and social services, tourism and hospitality, construction and mining. The South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement is the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) that encompasses the entire territory of South Australia.

 

Who Can Access DAMA Labour Agreements?

The purpose of the DAMA is to facilitate local businesses in addressing their skills requirements. It is not possible for individuals to directly submit an application for a DAMA labour agreement.

Who should apply for a DAMA Labour agreement?

This initiative has been designed for South Australian businesses that meet the following criteria:

• Businesses have recognised an inability to source the necessary expertise or labour locally.
• There are job openings for positions listed on the DAMA Occupation Lists for South Australia or those with roles that are compatible with the stated occupation.
• Unable to fill open permanent full-time positions locally.

Who can you nominate?

Once a DAMA agreement is authorised, the business will be granted the ability to nominate and sponsor foreign personnel with particular expertise and semi-specialized skills for particular jobs (each DAMA Head Agreement accommodates a specified selection of vocations).

Employers must prove that they have made a genuine effort to recruit Australian citizens and permanent residents before they can avail of a DAMA labour agreement. This serves to prioritise the recruitment of local citizens and permanent residents.

 

How to Apply for the South Australia DAMA Labour Agreements?

Before commencing, it is necessary to

• Carefully review and comprehend the DAMA Agreement Terms and Conditions.
• Make sure that you fulfil all of the criteria for the DAMA Endorsement.
• Have prepared all documentation required for your endorsement applications

In order to lodge an application, you will first need to create an account in the Skilled & Business Migration Portal. It is important that you select either ‘South Australian Employer’ or ‘Migration Agent’ as the type of registration, and then follow the instructions to complete the process.

If you have already signed up, access your account and pick your choice in the ‘My Applications area:

• Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)
• Variation Request (DAMAV) – (For variations to existing Labour Agreement)
• DAR Skills assessment

 

Employees’ Eligibility for the South Australia DAMA Visa

In order to qualify for the South Australia Designated Area Migration Agreement visa, Applicants should fulfil the following criteria.

• Possess an approved employment opportunity from a business in a designated area of South Australia.
• Possess the necessary qualifications and competencies to be eligible for the position.
• Attain the necessary English language skillset
• Comply with health and character standards
• The employer must be able to prove that the position cannot be filled by a local employee.

It’s important to be aware that the details outlined here regarding the South Australia DAMA visa are only a broad summary; the criteria for this visa may undergo alterations in the future. We advise that you contact us directly for the most recent information and requirements concerning this visa.

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