skilled migration visa australia, 189 subclass visa australia - VisaAdvisor

Your Pathway to Regional Australia through the DAMA Program

The DAMA program enables employers in designated regional areas to sponsor skilled workers under the Subclass 494, Subclass 482, and Subclass 186 visas to fill critical labor shortages in regional Australia.

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What is the DAMA Program?

The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) program is an agreement between the Australian Government and designated regional areas to help employers sponsor skilled workers for visas. DAMA offers flexibility in the standard visa requirements, such as points tests and skills assessments, making it easier for employers to address labor shortages in regional Australia.

Under DAMA, employers can sponsor skilled workers under the following visa subclasses:

Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional)

Subclass 482 (Skill in Demand)

Includes eligible family members, such as spouses and dependent children.

Why Apply for a DAMA Visa?

Pathway to PR

Eligible for permanent residency after 3 years of regional work under Subclass 494 or Subclass 186.

Regional Living

Live and work in regional Australia while filling critical skills shortages.

No Points Test

The DAMA program allows workers to bypass the traditional points test.

Family Inclusion

Eligible spouse and dependent children can join the applicant.

Access to Medicare:

Eligible for Australia’s public healthcare system.

Work Rights:

Full work rights with your DAMA-employer sponsor.

DAMA Regional Areas

The Subclass 482 DAMA Stream is available in several designated areas across Australia, where regional employers can sponsor skilled workers under DAMA agreements. Here are the regions eligible for the DAMA program:

Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement, SA

East Kimberley, WA

Far North Queensland, QLD

Goulburn Valley, VIC

Great South Coast, VIC

Northern Territory, NT

Orana, NSW

Pilbara, WA

South Australia Regional, SA

South West, WA

The Goldfields, WA

Townsville, QLD

Western Australia, WA

Check Your DAMA Region Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a DAMA visa, the following eligibility requirements must be met:

Employer Nomination

Be nominated by an approved employer in a designated regional area.

Skilled Occupation

Your occupation must be listed in the relevant DAMA occupation list.

Skills

Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience.

Age

Be under 45 years old at the time of application (unless exempt).

Health & Character

Must meet health and character criteria.

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Visa Type

Provisional Visa (Subclass 494), Temporary Visa (Subclass 482), Permanent Visa (Subclass 186)

PR Pathway:

- Subclass 494: Eligible for Subclass 191 Permanent Residency (Skilled Regional) visa after 3 years of regional work.
- Subclass 186: Permanent residency immediately upon grant (Employer Nomination Scheme).

State Nomination Required

No (DAMA allows employer sponsorship).

Points Test Required:

No (DAMA provides flexibility in meeting requirements).

Typical Processing Time

Varies; typically 6 to 12 months.

Family Inclusion

Yes (spouse, dependent children).

Common Use

For skilled workers nominated by employers in regional areas through DAMA agreements.

Visa Overview & PR Benefits

The DAMA program allows skilled workers to be sponsored by employers in designated regional areas under various visa subclasses like Subclass 494, Subclass 482, and Subclass 186. Key benefits include:

Full Work and Study Rights

Live and work anywhere in designated regional areas.

Access to Medicare

Australia’s public health insurance system.

Pathway to Citizenship

Eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

Family Inclusion

Ability to include spouse and dependent children in your application.

The DAMA program enables employers in designated regional areas to sponsor skilled workers for Subclass 494, Subclass 482, and Subclass 186 visas to fill critical labor shortages. This program offers a pathway to permanent residency and provides flexibility in meeting standard visa requirements such as points tests and skills assessments.

Check DAMA Eligibility

Start My DAMA Application

Regional Employer Sponsorship

Employers in designated regional areas can sponsor skilled workers for DAMA visas.

Concessions for English, Age, and Salary

DAMA provides relaxed requirements, making it easier for skilled workers to meet visa eligibility.

Permanent Residency Pathway:

Eligible for Subclass 186 after 2 years of regional

Targeted Occupations

Includes aged care, agrifood, hospitality, and trades sectors.

Support from Designated Area Representatives (DAR)

Work with regional authorities to fill labor shortages.

Family Members You Can Include After Visa Grant

Family members who can join a DAMA-sponsored worker under Subclass 494:

Spouse or De Facto Partner

Full work rights in Australia.

Dependent Children under 18

Access to Medicare and full study rights in Australia.

Children over 18 (if dependent)

Can apply for a PR pathway under Subclass 191.

Adopted or Declared Dependents

Eligible for inclusion if they meet health and character criteria.

Common Mistakes & Tips

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Double-Check Your Skills Assessment.

Complete Documentation.

Ensure English Proficiency.

Seek Professional Advice.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect ANZSCO Code

Ensure your occupation matches the ANZSCO code.

Incomplete documentation

Submit full documents upfront to avoid delays.

Expired test results

Ensure your English test results are still valid when applying.

Visa Fees & Processing Time

TypeDetails & Fee (AUD)
🧾 Government Visa FeeApprox. $4,910
👥 Addtional Applicant 18+$2,455
👥 Addtional Applicant below 18$1,230
⏳ Processing TimeTypically 3–7 months (post-invitation)
Check Visa Fees With Official Estimator

🧰 Tools & Downloads

Discover free tools to help you plan, prepare, and lodge your visa with confidence — including points Points Calculator,EOI Tracker and Visa Checklist PDF

Frequently Asked Questions❓

The DAMA program enables regional employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill critical labor shortages.
You can apply for the Subclass 494, Subclass 482, or Subclass 186 visas.
Yes, eligible family members (spouse, dependent children) can be included in your application.

Have More Questions?

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.