Australia announces the new Designated Area Migration from March 2025 to 2030

Highlights: Australia declared the new Designated Area Migration from March 2025 to 2030

• Australia declared the new Designed Area Migration (DAMA) for the Northern Territories, which came into effect on March 19, 2025.
• NT DAMA III will sponsor up to 1500 overseas workers to address the labor shortage in the country.
• NT DAMA III will continue until July 30, 2030, expanding to 325 in-demand occupations.
• Currently, there are 13 DAMAs in place and aligned with state and territory migration plans.
   

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 What is DAMA?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a unique arrangement allowing businesses in designated regions that access more flexible skilled visa pathways. Here are the benefits of DAMA:

• Expanded occupation list beyond standard skilled visa category
• Concession on skills, experience, and English Language requirements to attract more workers
• Support for employers struggling to find local talents
   

Individual DAMA Labor Agreements are formal arrangements made between the Australian government, approved employers, and businesses operating in a designated region.
 

Agreements are typically:

• Valid for five years
• Operate through following :
• Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand (SID)
• Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
• Subclass 186 – Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS)
   

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Eligibility Requirement to apply for DAMA

To apply for the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), an applicant must:

• Applicant must be sponsored by an approved employer based on the designated area
• Must demonstrate they have made a genuine attempt to hire local Australian worker
• Only occupations included in DAMA are eligible
• Employers must provide a genuine job offer to overseas workers
• Apply through the NT DAMA portal along with the necessary documentation.
   

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