DAMA / Labour Agreement

Migration built around a region's real needs

Who this pathway is for

• Regional employers with genuine, hard-to-fill vacancies.
• Businesses in one of the ten designated industry sectors (aged care, dairy, fishing, horticulture, meat, hospitality, and others).
• Employers operating in one of the 13 current DAMA regions across Australia.
• Workers with a job offer from an employer already covered by an approved agreement.
• Businesses whose roles fall outside the standard skilled occupation lists.

Important updates you should know

• There are currently 13 active DAMA regions across South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and New South Wales — each covering its own list of eligible occupations and concessions.
• Ten industry labour agreements are currently in place, including aged care, dairy, fishing, horticulture, meat processing, and premium dining/restaurant — a DAMA won't be approved for an industry already covered by one of these.
• Employers must demonstrate a genuine attempt to recruit an Australian citizen or permanent resident before accessing any labour agreement.
• Individual employer agreements are lodged online through ImmiAccount, but only after the employer has secured endorsement from the relevant regional body (for DAMAs).
• A reduced visa fee is being introduced from July 2026 for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens applying under these programs.