Australia has strict policies against hiring overseas workers. Each state and employers have to follow the policies set by the country’s government. Every year, the country faces a shortage of workers in some fields like dairy, agriculture, hospitality, health, etc. Sometimes, the manpower shortage cannot be fulfilled within the country. Then, companies look for overseas workers after signing a labor agreement. There are five types of labor agreements, and DAMA South Australia is one of them.

What is a Designated Area Migration Agreement?

A DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian government and a regional, state, or territory to provide access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program. There is an individual DAMA agreement signed between the Australian government and endorsed businesses for five years. After approval, businesses can nominate and sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers for an occupation. The agreement ensures that employers give priority to Australian citizens and PR first. At present, there are 12 DAMA.

Visas Come Under the DAMA Agreement

TSS Subclass 482

It is one of the most famous employer visas for Australia. The provisional visa is popular because it allows skilled workers to apply for PR. Therefore, a work visa opens the door to living in Australia forever. The work visa is divided into several streams, and each stream has unique requirements. The Short-Term stream is valid for up to 2 years. The stream can take up to 15 months for approval. Applicants who want to apply through the stream must confirm that their occupation is on the short-term occupation list. The Medium-Term stream is valid for up to 4 years to address the labor shortage. Applicants are eligible for applying for the visa if their occupation is listed on either the MLTSSL or the ROL.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa Subclass 494

It is a regional work visa granted for five years. The work visa has three streams – employer-sponsored stream, labor agreement stream, and subsequent entrant. The processing time for the labor agreement stream is not available. Each stream is applicable for employees below 45.

Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) Visa

It is a permanent visa to live and work in Australia for as long as you want. The work visa is for applicants who have the necessary skills for the job. It is mandatory to be nominated by an Australian employer and meet the health and character-related requirements.