Goulburn Valley DAMA: A Guide for Employers

The Goulburn Valley Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a targeted migration program designed to assist employers across this productive and fast-growing region of Victoria. This five-year agreement between the Australian Government and the region’s Designated Area Representative (DAR) gives Goulburn Valley employers access to skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers when local labour is unavailable, particularly where there are not enough local workers to meet demand. The DAMA is a direct response to workforce shortages that impact the region’s ability to sustain and grow key industries.

For businesses facing chronic skill shortages — especially in agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, trades, healthcare, and transport — the Goulburn Valley DAMA provides a flexible and responsive workforce solution to address acute labour shortages. With generous visa concessions and a broader occupation list than standard skilled migration programs, this DAMA is designed to align with local demand in key industries and supports employers struggling to recruit locally.

Apakah itu Perjanjian Migrasi Kawasan Ditetapkan (DAMA)?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a two-tiered arrangement between the Australian Government (Department of Home Affairs) and a regional authority known as the Designated Area Representative (DAR). These agreements allow employers in specific regional areas to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers to fill genuine labour shortages, offering more flexibility than the standard skilled migration program.

DAMAs play a crucial role in supporting regional communities. Concessions available through DAMAs may include:

• Lower English language requirements for certain occupations
• Higher age limits compared with standard visa programs
• Concessions to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
• Expanded occupation lists covering roles not available under standard skilled visa pathways

Compared to the skilled migration program, DAMAs provide tailored migration pathways with concessions to the standard skilled migration criteria, making it easier for employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers who may not qualify under standard programs.

For Goulburn Valley employers, the DAMA opens access to a wider and more reliable skilled workforce pool, enabling long-term business stability and growth.

The Goulburn Valley Designated Area Migration Agreement

The Goulburn Valley DAMA supports a region central to Australia’s agricultural and food production sectors, encompassing the City of Greater Shepparton and surrounding areas. The agreement seeks to address labour shortages across industries essential to the local economy, specifically addressing acute labour shortages by enabling local employers to fill skills gaps with overseas workers.

Industries commonly benefiting from the Goulburn Valley DAMA include:

• Agriculture and horticulture
• Dairy, meat, and food processing
• Manufacturing and engineering
• Transport, warehousing, and logistics
• Health, disability, and community services
• Hospitality and tourism

Only certain roles listed as approved occupations are eligible for sponsorship and concessions under the GV DAMA, so employers should consult the approved occupations list to determine eligibility.

The program is administered by the region’s Designated Area Representative (DAR), which is the Greater Shepparton City Council. The Council is responsible for endorsing the region's employers, facilitating visa nominations, and managing variation requests in collaboration with the Australian government.

Program Visa DAMA dan Kediaman Tetap

The Goulburn Valley DAMA operates through specific visa subclasses under the Labour Agreement stream, providing overseas workers with pathways to work and, for many roles, a pathway to permanent residency. However, guaranteed permanent residency is not automatic; applicants must meet all eligibility requirements, and visa decisions are made by the Department of Home Affairs based on each individual's visa status.

Employers may access:

• Skill in Demand Visa (subclass 482): Enables employers to sponsor overseas workers for temporary roles. This temporary skills shortage visa is valid for up to four years. DAMA concessions may apply to age, English, and salary requirements. Many Goulburn Valley DAMA 482 visa holders may transition to permanent residency after at least three years of employment, but approval is not guaranteed and depends on meeting all criteria.
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494): A regional visa allowing long-term employment in the Goulburn Valley. This is a provisional visa valid for five years, and it can offer a pathway to permanent residency after three years of regional employment.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186): A permanent residence pathway often used after an eligible period working under a DAMA 482 or 494 visa.

The strong permanent residency pathways available through the DAMA help attract committed long-term workers to the Goulburn Valley region. Workers' rights and legal protections in Australia apply regardless of their citizenship or visa status, and all applicants must maintain the appropriate visa status throughout the process.

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Pengendorsan Majikan dan Perjanjian Buruh DAMA

Before accessing the DAMA program, employers must first obtain endorsement from the Goulburn Valley DAR. This ensures employers meet the necessary eligibility criteria, including demonstrating:

• Operations within the Goulburn Valley DAMA region
• Financial viability and lawful operations for at least 12 months
• The business must be lawfully operating in the region for at least 12 months
• Genuine and unmet local labour shortages
• Compliance with Australian workplace, industrial relations, and immigration laws

A business seeking endorsement must provide detailed evidence to demonstrate compliance with all requirements. The DAR will assess the employer's circumstances and may seek clarification if there are concerns about the employer's situation.

At the labour agreement request stage, positions employers must seek endorsement for one or more occupations, and an endorsement is required for each position sought. Labour market testing may be required as part of this process, depending on the occupation and visa subclass.

Memohon Perjanjian Buruh

Once endorsed, employers must request a GV DAMA labour agreement (also referred to as an employer labour agreement) through the appropriate channels, such as ImmiAccount. This agreement outlines:

• The occupations or positions employers are approved to sponsor
• The employer’s ceiling (maximum number of workers)
• Any concessions available for those occupations

Under the GV DAMA program, businesses sponsor prospective workers, meaning employers can sponsor prospective workers for skilled migration. Prospective workers cannot apply directly; instead, prospective workers apply through employer nomination. Employers may identify a prospective overseas worker at the nomination stage and formally nominate overseas workers for approved positions under the agreement.

A DAMA Labour Agreement allows employers to:

• Sponsor workers in a wider range of occupations
• Access concessions not available under standard visa programs
• Utilise a clear and achievable permanent residence pathway through the ENS (subclass 186)

For each occupation or position sought, an endorsement fee applies and other fees payable may include application charges and associated costs. Employers may choose to engage a service provider to assist with the application and sponsorship process.

Permintaan Variasi dan Siling Majikan

As business needs change, employers may request adjustments to their existing DAMA Labour Agreement through a Variation Request. Variations may be required to:

• Add or remove one or more occupations
• Increase approved positions employers can nominate for, or change the position sought
• Nominate an existing TSS (482) visa holder for permanent residence under the ENS (186)

The DAR must endorse the variation before it is forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs for approval. Approved changes are formalised through a deed of variation.

Cara Memohon Variasi

Variation requests are submitted directly to the Goulburn Valley DAR for assessment. If endorsed, the DAR forwards the request to Home Affairs for final approval. Application requirements are outlined by the DAR to ensure accuracy and compliance.

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Tempah Konsultasi

Jika anda berminat untuk mendapatkan lebih banyak maklumat mengenai visa, hubungi Peguam Migrasi Australia untuk berunding.

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Ujian Pasaran Buruh (LMT) dan Kediaman Tetap

One of the most significant advantages of the Goulburn Valley DAMA is the Labour Market Testing (LMT) concession for permanent residence nominations.

When employers seek DAR endorsement for an ENS (subclass 186) nomination under a DAMA Labour Agreement, LMT evidence is not required. Additionally, employers must ensure that the salary offered meets or exceeds the minimum threshold, such as the TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold), although under the DAMA, certain concessions may allow for a lower minimum threshold in specific circumstances.

This significantly streamlines the permanent residence process for eligible DAMA visa holders, provided they also meet the relevant skilled migration criteria for permanent residency pathways.

Why the Goulburn Valley DAMA is Important

The Goulburn Valley DAMA supports workforce continuity across one of Victoria’s most important regional economies. With ongoing skill shortages — particularly in agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, and essential services — the DAMA ensures employers can remain productive and competitive.

By providing access to overseas workers with a clear permanent residence pathway, the DAMA strengthens regional communities, supports economic stability, and promotes long-term population growth in the Goulburn Valley.

Bagaimana Peguam Migrasi Australia Boleh Membantu

Navigating the DAMA process requires expertise in migration legislation, regional eligibility requirements, and detailed application preparation. Errors or incomplete submissions can result in delays or refusals.

Peguam Migrasi Australia boleh membantu dengan:

• Assessing your eligibility for the Goulburn Valley DAMA
• Preparing endorsement applications for the DAR
• Drafting and lodging DAMA Labour Agreements and variations
• Advising on suitable occupations and concessions
• Managing TSS (482) and ENS (186) applications under your labour agreement
• Liaising with the DAR and the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf

Our migration lawyers ensure your DAMA applications are accurate, compliant, and strategically prepared to give you the best chance of approval.

Get expert guidance from Australian Migration Lawyers to secure the skilled workforce your business needs through the Goulburn Valley DAMA.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Goulburn Valley DAMA

Apakah kelebihan utama Perjanjian Migrasi Kawasan Ditetapkan (DAMA) berbanding program visa mahir standard?

DAMAs offer more flexible visa settings, including concessions to English, age, and salary requirements, and access to occupations not normally eligible under general skilled migration. Compared to the standard employer sponsored visa program, DAMA provides additional flexibility for employers to sponsor overseas workers in roles that may not meet the usual criteria.

Who can apply for the Goulburn Valley DAMA?

Only businesses operating within the Goulburn Valley DAMA region are eligible. Employers must demonstrate genuine labour shortages and meet the DAR’s suitability criteria.

Berapa lama masa proses pengesahan?

Endorsement processing times vary depending on the complexity and completeness of the application. Most applications take several weeks. A well-prepared application helps minimise delays.