Understanding DAMA: Riverina and Orana Concessions

For skilled migrants who do not meet standard age, English, or points thresholds, a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) can be a critical pathway to working and residing in Australia.

What is a DAMA?

A DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a regional authority (like the Riverina RDA or Orana RDA). It allows regional employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers under terms customized to address regional labor shortages.

DAMA programs operate under the temporary TSS Subclass 482 or provisional regional Subclass 494 employer-sponsored frameworks.

Key Concessions Explained

The standard visa requirements can be difficult to satisfy. DAMAs offer unique concessions:

• Age Concession: Standard employer-sponsored visas limit age to under 45. Under DAMA, employers can nominate workers up to 50 or 55 years of age depending on the occupation.
• TSMIT Salary Concession: Sponsoring businesses can pay salaries below the standard TSMIT threshold (typically a 10% concession) if the occupation falls in eligible tiers.
• English Language Concession: Lower English scores are accepted (e.g. IELTS 5.0 overall with no band less than 4.5).

The Riverina DAMA

The Riverina DAMA covers regional councils including Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Leeton, and Temora. It lists over 100 eligible occupations, including agricultural managers, truck drivers, mechanics, chefs, and aged care workers, many of which are not on standard skilled occupation lists.

How to Access DAMA Streams

You cannot apply for a DAMA directly as an individual. An eligible regional business must first apply to the Regional Representative (such as RDA Riverina) to get endorsed. Once endorsed, they can nominate you for the visa.