Great South Coast DAMA: A Guide for Employers

The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a vital, formal agreement designed by the Australian Government to assist regional Australia in overcoming persistent labour shortages. For employers in specified designated regions, including the Great South Coast DAMA region of Victoria (commonly referred to as the Great South Coast (GSC)), it provides a unique opportunity to sponsor overseas workers for roles that local recruitment efforts cannot fill. The DAMA program also supports the region's economy by addressing workforce gaps and supporting local business growth.

This designated area migration agreement is much more flexible than standard visa options. It offers crucial DAMA concessions on age, English language ability, and salary thresholds, making it a powerful tool for businesses needing to secure skilled workers and semi-skilled overseas workers. The agreement covers a wide range of occupation types, including both skilled and semi-skilled roles. The end result is a clear DAMA pathway to permanent residency for eligible migrants, strengthening the workforce stability of key industries. This agreement specifically targets south west Victoria.

What is a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal arrangement between the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs and a specified Designated Area Representative (DAR), which is usually a regional authority or council. Each DAMA addresses the unique labour market needs of a particular region, providing employers with an approved mechanism to recruit a broader range of skilled migrants. DAMAs are a type of regional migration agreement, distinct from other variations of labour agreements such as company-specific or industry-specific arrangements.

The core objective of any DAMA is to support regional development by:

• Addressing specific labour shortages in designated regions that local workers cannot fill, particularly in critical sectors.
• Providing an expanded occupation list that includes unique occupations not found on the standard skilled lists.
• Offering flexibility via special concessions on standard visa application requirements.
• Creating accessible pathways to permanent residency for eligible family members and the primary applicant.

You might be wondering how a DAMA differs from other labour agreements. The difference is primarily in scope; while an individual labour agreement is highly specific to one business, a DAMA is a head agreement that applies to all approved employers within the designated area, streamlining the migration process considerably. DAMAs also offer flexibility through other variations, allowing for changes or extensions to address evolving workforce needs.

About the Great South Coast DAMA

The Great South Coast DAMA (GSC DAMA) is a five-year formal agreement that focuses on the south west Victorian regions. It specifically covers the local government areas managed by the Warrnambool City Council, Corangamite Shire, Glenelg Shire, Moyne Shire, Southern Grampians Shire, and Colac-Otway Shire. These areas collectively form the 'gsc region' under the DAMA. The regional authority overseeing this specific DAMA labour agreement request and acting as the designated area representative dar is the Warrnambool City Council.

Local businesses in these areas, demonstrating financial viability and a genuine need to fill specific labour shortages, can apply for DAR endorsement. The region's employers, particularly south west employers, are the primary applicants for the program. This dar endorsement is the first essential step. Employers seeking endorsement must submit an endorsement form to the designated area representative. It confirms that the business has complied with all Australian employment laws and made efforts to recruit local workers before turning to overseas workers.

Australian Migration Lawyers work with regional employers throughout the entire GSC DAMA application process. This includes compiling the necessary documentation to prove the effort put into labour market testing and the existence of genuine labour shortages for roles in industries like agriculture, food production, and engineering. During the application process, businesses must specify their initial allocation of workers and the specified positions they wish to fill under the DAMA.

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Key Features and DAMA Concessions

The DAMA framework provides numerous benefits not accessible under general skilled migration visa programs. These dama concessions are what make the agreement a powerful solution for regional areas. DAMA enables employers to fill vacancies they cannot fill locally by sponsoring overseas workers, helping address critical workforce shortages:

• Expanded Occupation List: The GSC DAMA includes over 100 approved roles across all skill levels (ANZSCO 1–5), ensuring a wider pool of candidates can be considered. The occupations included reflect skilled roles in demand in the region, targeting areas where local talent is insufficient.
• Critical Skills Priority: The DAMA prioritizes critical skills needed for the region, such as those in medical technology, telecommunications, and engineering, to ensure key sectors have access to the workforce they require.
• Age Concession: Age concessions are available, meaning applicants can be up to 50 or 55 years old, depending on the nominated occupation. The DAMA offers higher age limits for certain occupations, which is a significant departure from standard skilled visa requirements.
• Salary Concessions: Reduced salary thresholds may apply to eligible roles. Some occupations may qualify for a reduced TSMIT, making it easier for employers to meet salary requirements while maintaining fairness and aligning with the local labour market’s needs.
• English Language Concessions: English concessions are a key feature. Workers in certain occupations may have reduced English language requirements, such as a lower IELTS score than required for standard visa subclasses, making it easier to secure talent with the necessary skills.

Still, maintaining compliance is paramount. The Department of Home Affairs requires approved employers to submit a detailed position description and adhere to the strict terms of the formal arrangement, ensuring the integrity of the visa application process.

Overall, the DAMA enables businesses to address workforce shortages more flexibly and efficiently, supporting regional growth and sustainability.

The DAMA Skills Assessment

One aspect of the DAMA often requiring careful navigation is the skills assessment. Unlike standard skilled visas, the DAMA skills assessment can be more flexible for certain occupations, particularly those considered semi skilled.

As workforce needs evolve, employers can also apply to add further occupations to their DAMA agreement, allowing them to expand the list of eligible roles beyond the initial endorsed occupation types.

Skills Assessment Requirements

While some roles, especially those at ANZSCO skill level 1–3, will require a formal skills assessment, others may be assessed on the basis of relevant skills and extensive work experience. The GSC DAMA provides concessions for some occupations where a formal assessment is not required, provided the employer can provide evidence that the overseas workers possess the practical competencies needed for the role.

• This LMT evidence and proof of skill is crucial for roles like certain trades or aged care workers, where practical ability is valued highly.
• For example, a chef position may still require a full assessment, but a specific role in specialist ethnic cuisine may have different or more streamlined assessment pathways.

Australian Migration Lawyers provides personalised advice to determine the precise skills assessment and standard visa requirements that apply to your specific dama occupation and candidate. We help compile key documents, including the employment contract and any required identity documents or passport bio details, to ensure a smooth nomination process.

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DAMA Visa Pathways to Permanent Residency

Securing permanent residency is a major drawcard for overseas workers considering a move to regional areas. The DAMA visa framework provides a clear path and offers multiple permanent residency pathways for eligible workers.

Available Visa Subclasses

The DAMA primarily uses two visa subclasses to transition from temporary to permanent residency:

1. Skill in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) – Labour Agreement Stream: This temporary visa allows the worker to be employed for a period, often up to five years. Following a period of employment (typically three years), the applicant can be nominated for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) under the Labour Agreement stream. The 186 visa grants permanent residency.
2. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Visa (Subclass 494): This is another temporary regional visa which requires the worker to live and work in the designated area for three years. Following this period, they can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa subclass (PRSR 191), which provides the permanent residency outcome.

All occupations included in the GSC DAMA have a clear, pre-agreed path to permanent residency. This is a powerful recruitment tool, offering certainty to skilled professionals and their family members. We can also advise on related requirements such as obtaining police checks and undergoing a health exam.

The Nomination and Visa Application Process

Once an employer has secured a DAMA labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs, the next stage involves nominating the individual worker. Employers must submit worker nominations for each position they wish to fill under the agreement. Prospective workers cannot apply independently for DAMA visas; they must be nominated by an approved employer. This is where attention to detail is critical.

The Role of Australian Migration Lawyers

Our team manages the entire process for the employer, ensuring legal accuracy and compliance:

• DAMA Labour Agreement Management: We handle the detailed liaison with the Department of Home Affairs for the formal agreement request.
• Nomination Approval: We prepare and lodge the nomination approval application for the nominated occupation, ensuring all conditions of the DAMA are met, including the employment contract details and TSMIT compliance.
• Visa Application Lodgement: We prepare and lodge the individual’s DAMA visa visa application, providing all required additional information and ensuring the applicant understands the requirements, such as maintaining the correct working hours in the designated area. We are mindful of processing times and work efficiently to maximise your prospects of a swift outcome.

In some cases, our expert support can be the difference between a successful hire and a long, frustrating delay. We streamline the complexities of DAMA agreements to provide flexibility and efficient outcomes for regional employers.

Get Expert Help from Australian Migration Lawyers Today

The Designated Area Migration Agreement represents an outstanding opportunity for businesses across the Great South Coast and other regions with a specific dama, such as the North Queensland DAMA or those in Western Australia and South Australia. DAMA workers and employers have made important contributions to the regional economy and community development. However, navigating the requirements, including proving labour market testing via genuine job ads and securing the correct DAMA concessions, is a complex legal process.

If your business is struggling with labour shortages, contact Australian Migration Lawyers for tailored legal support. We will assess your eligibility, handle the DAR endorsement, negotiate your DAMA labour agreement, and manage the full cycle of visa applications. Please note that employers may need to reapply for endorsement or additional workers in a subsequent year or subsequent years as workforce needs change. Further information on how we can help you secure your workforce is available upon request.

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Book a Consultation‍

If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Lawyers for a consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which regions are covered by the GSC DAMA?

Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians, Colac-Otway, and Warrnambool City Council areas.

2. Can employers apply at any time?

Yes, DAR endorsement applications are accepted year-round, though Labour Agreement processing times may vary.

3. What industries are prioritised?

Agriculture, food production, engineering, logistics, healthcare, telecommunications, and hospitality.

4. Can DAMA visa holders access permanent residency?

Yes. All approved occupations have pathways to permanent residency via ENS 186 or PRSR 191 visas.

5. How can Australian Migration Lawyers assist?

We provide full legal support, from eligibility assessment and Labour Market Testing evidence to endorsement and visa management, ensuring compliance with all DAMA requirements.