Northern Territory DAMA
Covers the entire NT. Broad occupation list. English concessions. Strong PR pathway. Our Darwin office specialises in NT DAMA applications.
Regional Concessions · Often the NT DAMA · PR Pathway
DAMAs are some of the most underused pathways in Australian migration.
Regional agreements that give employers and workers access to occupations, concessions, and permanent residency pathways not available through the standard visa framework. For the right worker in the right region, a DAMA can be transformative. Our Darwin office specialises in the NT DAMA.
Current DAMAs
Eight active agreements across Australia.
DAMAs are negotiated between the Australian Government and a Designated Area Representative (usually a state government, chamber of commerce, or regional development body).
Great South Coast DAMA (VIC)
Regional Victoria in the south-west. Agriculture, food processing, regional services.
Orana DAMA (NSW)
Central western New South Wales. Regional services, trades, agricultural industries.
Goldfields DAMA (WA)
Goldfields-Esperance region of WA. Mining, trades, regional services.
Pilbara DAMA (WA)
Pilbara region. Mining and related industries.
South West DAMA (WA)
South-west WA. Tourism, agriculture, trades, regional services.
Far North Queensland DAMA
Cairns and Far North QLD. Tourism, agriculture, regional services. Our Cairns connections apply here.
Town of Victoria Park and Gladstone
Smaller regional DAMAs covering specific localities with industry-specific focus.
What DAMA concessions include
Five types of concessions. Combinable.
The value of a DAMA depends on which concessions apply and how they stack for your profile.
Broader occupation accessOccupations not on the CSOL may be available. Opens migration for workers the standard pathway blocks.
English language concessionsLower IELTS requirements for some occupations under some DAMAs. Useful for functional-English workers below the standard skilled migration level.
Salary threshold adjustmentsSome DAMAs allow nominations below the standard CSIT where the role is a genuine regional labour market need.
Age concessionsA small number of DAMAs allow nominations of workers over 45 in specific occupations.
How DAMA applications work
Four steps. Employer-led.
DAMAs are for employer-sponsored pathways. The DAR endorsement comes first, then the standard Department sponsorship and visa.
Step 1 & 2: DAR approach and endorsement
Employer contacts the Designated Area Representative. DAR assesses nomination fit and endorses if the role, concessions, and regional need line up.
Step 3: Department sponsorship and nomination
Standard sponsorship and nomination lodged with the Department. DAMA endorsement enables certain concessions, not the final decision.
Step 4: Worker visa lodgement
Worker lodges the visa application (usually SID or 494). Department assesses with the DAMA concessions applied.
DAMAs are renegotiated every few years.
An occupation available under a DAMA today may not be tomorrow. Conversely, new occupations are sometimes added when regional labour market assessments identify gaps. Tracking DAMA changes is part of strategic migration planning for workers in regional Australia.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For DAMA applications and occupation-list reviews, book with Sourabh Aggarwal or contact our Darwin office for NT DAMA.
How do I find out if my occupation is on a specific DAMA?
Each DAMA publishes its own occupation list through the relevant Designated Area Representative. We track current lists for every DAMA and can tell you at the consultation which DAMAs include your occupation.
Can I move between DAMAs if I change jobs?
Yes, in principle. If your new employer is in a different DAMA area and their nomination is endorsed by that DAR, you can move. The process is similar to changing employers under any sponsored visa.
Does DAMA apply to skilled migration (189, 190, 491)?
Are DAMA concessions guaranteed once endorsed?
No. DAR endorsement is required but does not guarantee visa grant. The Department of Home Affairs still assesses the full application. The endorsement makes certain occupations and concessions available that would otherwise be out of reach.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.