Looking to work in Australia, but standard visa options seem too limiting? The DAMA visa occupation list might be just what you need. This programme helps fill serious workforce gaps throughout regional Australia.
The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) gives overseas workers more options than typical skilled migration programmes. Workers can stay up to five years and apply for permanent residency after three years. The programme comes with lower salary requirements and easier English language tests. Each region has its own occupation list that covers jobs in agriculture, mining, hospitality and more.
Let’s take a closer look at everything about the DAMA visa occupation list. You’ll learn about opportunities in different regions, what makes you eligible, and how to make your way through the Australian work visa process.
Understanding DAMA Visa Programs
DAMAs (Designated Area Migration Agreements) have grown into powerful solutions for Australia’s regional workforce challenges in 2025. These agreements between the Australian Government and regional authorities now help 13 designated areas nationwide deal with their unique labour needs.
The DAMA system works through a two-tier framework. Regional representatives sign a five-year head agreement at the first tier. The second tier has individual labour agreements with employers. This setup lets businesses sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers when local talent isn’t available.
The Northern Territory DAMA III stands out as a recent success story. Signed on March 19, 2025, this agreement will run until June 30, 2030. The opportunities have expanded, with available occupations jumping from 135 to 325 and yearly nominations increasing from 625 to 1,500.
On top of that, DAMAs give great benefits you won’t find in standard visa paths:
- Age flexibility: The age limit goes up from 45 to 50 or 55 years in many agreements
- English language concessions: Some occupations need less strict English requirements
- Salary threshold adjustments: Certain roles can have lower income thresholds
These agreements open up three main visa paths:
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa (four-year term)
- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (five-year term)
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa (permanent residency)
DAMA participants can usually get permanent residency after two to three years, based on their visa type and regional requirements.
Each DAMA occupation list matches specific regional shortages. To name just one example, see Western Australia’s DAMA. It focuses on higher skill levels in Perth metropolitan areas (skill levels 1-3) while giving more occupation options in regional areas.
Getting into a DAMA starts with employer endorsement from the Designated Area Representative before submitting a labour agreement request. Endorsed businesses can sponsor workers for specific occupations in their agreement after they prove they tried to hire Australians first.
Regional DAMA Occupation Lists Across Australia
DAMA visa occupation lists vary substantially across Australian regions to meet local workforce requirements. The country now has 13 active DAMAs, each maintaining its own specialised occupation list. Find links below to each Designated Area Representative (DAR*) website for details on accessing the DAMA and the specific regions, locations, and shires covered.
Northern Territory, NT
The Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement leads with the most detailed DAMA occupation list. Their NT DAMA III agreement, signed in March 2025, expanded eligible occupations from 135 to 325. This growth comes with an increased annual nomination ceiling from 625 to 1,500 places. The changes reflect the territory’s rising labour needs in healthcare, construction, hospitality, and many other sectors.
Western Australia
Western Australia’s strong system includes five DAMAs serving different regions. The state’s WA DAMA covers 310 occupations. Perth metropolitan areas get 50% of available spots, while regional WA receives the other half. Regional Western Australia has exclusive access to 39 occupations. Teachers’ Aide, Vineyard Worker, and Excavator Operator positions are available only in these areas.
Western Australia’s strong system includes five DAMAs serving different regions. The state’s WA DAMA covers 310 occupations. Perth metropolitan areas get 50% of available spots, while regional WA receives the other half. Regional Western Australia has exclusive access to 39 occupations. Teachers’ Aide, Vineyard Worker, and Excavator Operator positions are available only in these areas.
Far North Queensland
The Far North Queensland DAMA’s coverage extends to 11 local government areas. Cairns, Douglas Shire, Mareeba Shire, and remote regions like Torres Shire Council fall under this agreement. The programme has helped secure nearly 600 visas since 2019 in hospitality, construction, healthcare, and other sectors.
Orana, NSW
New South Wales’s Orana DAMA gives access to 129 occupations. The programme serves multiple regions, including Orana, Central West, Riverina, Murray, and Southern Inland areas.
Goulburn Valley, Victoria
Victoria’s Goulburn Valley DAMA serves the Greater Shepparton, Campaspe, and Moira Shire regions.
Great South Coast, Victoria
The Great South Coast DAMA creates pathways for about 300 workers across more than 120 occupations. See the complete list in Warrnambool City Council.
Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement
Skilled & Business Migration DAMAs allow South Australian employers facing local worker shortages to sponsor skilled overseas talent. Employers with critical skill and labour gaps can seek endorsement to establish a DAMA labour agreement.
East Kimberley, Western Australia
The Kimberley DAMA, see the East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an agreement between the EKCCI and the Federal Government, provides employers in the Shire of Wyndham East-Kimberley, The Shire of Broome, The Shire of Halls Creek, and The Shire of Derby-West Kimberley with access to a wider array of occupations than standard skilled migration pathways, offering concessions on experience, age, and potentially salary and English, among other requirements; this enables them to attract and retain necessary personnel on a sustainable basis when they cannot fill positions from the Australian labour market, provided the endorsing employer operates within the Designated Area and the sought positions are located within those operations.
Pilbara, Western Australia
Pilbara Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is supported by the City of Karratha and the Town of Port Hedland. You can find more information on the RDA Pilbara website: RDA Pilbara.
South Australia Regional, SA
South Australian employers facing difficulties recruiting local skilled workers can utilize South Australia Regional DAMA Agreement to sponsor qualified overseas professionals for those roles; businesses experiencing demonstrable skills and labor shortages are eligible to apply for endorsement to establish a DAMA labor agreement.
South West, Western Australia
To address current skills shortages, the South-West region has a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) with the Commonwealth, initially signed in December 2021 and effective from January 2022, with an updated agreement featuring an expanded list of occupations taking effect in August 2024. See the full details in Shire of Dardanup DAMA Agreement.
The Goldfields, Western Australia
The Federal Government, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and the Shires of Coolgardie, Dundas, Esperance, Laverton, Leonora, Menzies, and Ravensthorpe have a five-year workforce arrangement known as the Goldfields Designated Area Migration arrangement (DAMA). Employers in certain industries in our region that are now facing severe labour and skill shortages can sponsor talented foreign workers with the help of the Goldfields DAMA.
Townsville, Queensland
The Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) DAMA, a formal agreement between the Australian Government and Townsville Enterprise, offers business owners who have exhausted local recruitment avenues access to overseas workers, providing a flexibility and responsiveness beyond standard skilled migration programs; tailored to the region’s specific economic and labour market needs, this DAMA, like all skilled migration schemes, is accessible only when employers demonstrate genuine skills shortages and have prioritized Australian jobseekers.
Regional DAMAs provide special concessions beyond standard visa requirements. To name just one example, Orana DAMA’s age limit goes up to 55 years for Skill Levels 1-4 occupations and 50 years for Skill Level 5 roles. FNQ DAMA also features specific English language and salary concessions.
Industry-Specific DAMA Opportunities
The 2025 DAMA visa occupation list now offers more opportunities than ever for overseas workers in many industries. South Australia has added 128 new occupations to its Regional DAMA. We focused on construction, trades, agribusiness, health, education, and renewable energy sectors.
Healthcare stands out as one of the most promising fields. Aged or disabled carers, registered nurses, and nursing support workers are just needed in regions of all sizes. Australia’s healthcare sector will grow faster, and aged care should expand by 16%.
Construction trades on DAMA lists nationwide have grown to help with severe shortages since 2020. All but one of these 15 building and construction occupation groups face shortages at the national or state level. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and heavy machinery operators are among these roles.
The hospitality and tourism sectors provide several positions, like
- Chef and Cook roles (available in regions of all sizes with DAMA)
- Hotel or Motel Manager positions (vital in tourism-focused regions)
- Food service specialisations including Pastry cooks and Bar Attendant Supervisors
Adelaide City’s DAMA targets defence, space, and advanced manufacturing industries in the technology sector. Regional lists now feature more ICT professionals, such as security specialists and software engineers.
Agricultural jobs showcase Australia’s farming needs. These range from beef cattle farmers in Northern Territory to aquaculture specialists and mixed crop farmers in other regions.
Each industry comes with unique benefits. Construction workers might get practical English requirement adjustments that focus more on speaking and listening skills than reading and writing. Healthcare roles often allow applicants up to 55 years old instead of the usual 45-year limit.
The DAMA framework provides options that weren’t possible through standard visa pathways before. This helps skilled and semi-skilled workers find opportunities in industries of all types.
Conclusion
DAMA visa pathways are a revolutionary force for skilled workers who want to pursue Australian opportunities. These agreements showcase adaptable solutions with extensive occupation lists. Northern Territory leads with 325 roles, and Western Australia follows closely with 310 positions in a variety of regions.
Each region’s unique features make DAMA an attractive option that provides tailored benefits. You can take advantage of age extensions up to 55 years or modified English requirements. These pathways are easier to navigate than standard visa routes. If you are having a hard time navigatignt his matter, you always have an option to consult with the registered migration agent like KBA Global to help you with the process and preparations of your applications.
Australia’s steadfast dedication to filling crucial workforce gaps shows in the growth of healthcare, construction, hospitality, and technology sectors. DAMA offers a clear path to permanent residency after three years with lower qualifying thresholds. This makes it a practical choice to advance your Australian career goals.
Your success hinges on aligning your expertise with regional requirements and getting employer support. Different regions have their own criteria, but the comprehensive occupation lists and industry-specific benefits create real opportunities. Qualified candidates can make meaningful contributions to Australia’s regional growth.