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Build Your Future in the Northern Territory with the DAMA Program

The Northern Territory DAMA (NT DAMA III) allows employers across Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek, and other regional NT areas to sponsor overseas workers in critical shortage roles under Subclass 482, 494, and 186 visas. It provides unique concessions on age, English, and salary thresholds — creating a direct pathway to permanent residency.

️ 🧮 Check My Eligibility

Northern Territory DAMA

The Northern Territory DAMA program enables employers in regional Northern Territory to sponsor skilled workers for Subclass 482, Subclass 494, and Subclass 186 visas, helping to fill critical labour shortages.

PR pathways after 2–3 years

No points test required.

Concessions available:

Age up to 55 years for some occupations.

Reduced English language thresholds.

Salary concession: employers may offer 85% of the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), currently AUD 65,037.

Family inclusion: spouse and children can join with full rights.

Employer endorsement by the NT Government is mandatory before any nomination.

NT DAMA Program Overview

The Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) is a formal arrangement between the Commonwealth and the NT Government.

Latest version: NT DAMA III (commenced 19 March 2025, runs to 30 June 2030).

Scope: Provides over 325 approved occupations, including roles not normally eligible for sponsorship.

Purpose: Helps address persistent skill shortages in aged care, hospitality, agribusiness, healthcare, and construction.

Regions covered: Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek, and all other NT regional areas.

👉 Unlike standard migration programs, NT DAMA is tailored to NT’s needs — with occupation lists, concessions, and PR pathways designed specifically for employers and workers in the Territory

Eligibility

For Employers

Employers must:

Be legally established and operating in NT for 12 months or more.

Demonstrate Labour Market Testing (LMT) to prove no suitable local worker is available.

Apply for endorsement from MigrationNT (NT Government).

After endorsement, apply for a labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

Comply with all workplace and sponsorship laws, including fair pay and working conditions.

👉 Example: A Darwin-based aged care facility needing Registered Nurses must first advertise locally, apply for NT endorsement, then nominate a candidate via a labour agreement.

For Skilled Workers

Workers must:

Hold an occupation on the NT DAMA list.

Have relevant skills and experience.

Satisfy health and character checks.

Meet concession rules (if applicable):

Age: up to 55 years for most skill levels (1–4); up to 50 years for level 5.

English: reduced IELTS or equivalent scores may apply.

Salary: employers can offer 85% of CSIT (AUD 65,037) if AMSR is also met.

👉 Example: A chef in Alice Springs may be sponsored at a lower English threshold and still progress to permanent residency after 2–3 years.

🧭 Step-by-Step Guide for

Employers

1
Check eligibility and confirm occupation is on NT DAMA list.
2
Apply for NT endorsement with MigrationNT.
3
Lodge a labour agreement with Home Affairs.
4
Nominate the worker under the approved visa subclass.

Applicants

Secure a job offer from an endorsed NT employer.
Confirm concessions (English, salary, age) that apply to your occupation.
Lodge visa application (Subclass 482, 494, or 186 – labour agreement stream).
Submit documents: passport, job offer, skills assessment (if required), health + police checks.
Wait for decision — processing generally 6–12 months depending on case.
👉 Employers and workers must work together: without endorsement, no application can proceed.

Visa Subclass Pathways

VisaDurationPR PathwayKey Features
Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand Visa1–4 years (5 for HK/BNO) Subclass 186 after 2 yearsAge/English/salary concessions
Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored RegionalUp to 5 years Subclass 191 after 3 years regional workBroader occupations via NT DAMA
Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)PermanentDirect PR (labour agreement stream)Employer-sponsored, no points test

Visa Fees & Charges

NT Government (MigrationNT) – Fees
EndorsementAUD 0
Skills verificationAUD 0
Labour agreement applicationAUD 0
Note: MigrationNT does not charge fees for endorsement or agreements.

Employer Charges (Home Affairs)
Standard business sponsorship (482)AUD 420
Nomination (482)AUD 330
Nomination (494)AUD 330
Nomination (186)AUD 540

VisaTurnover < $10mTurnover ≥ $10mNotes
Subclass 482AUD 1,200 / visa yearAUD 1,800 / visa yearPer visa year
Subclass 494AUD 3,000AUD 5,000One-off
Subclass 186AUD 3,000AUD 5,000One-off

Visa Application Charges (approximate, as at 1 July 2025)

ApplicantSubclass 186Subclass 482 (SID)Subclass 494
PrimaryAUD 4,910AUD 3,210AUD 4,910
Dependent ≥18AUD 2,455AUD 3,210AUD 2,455
Dependent <18AUD 1,230AUD 805AUD 1,230

💡 Use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for current charges.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

A formal migration agreement allowing NT employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers in occupations critical to NT.

Subclass 482, 494, and 186 via labour agreement streams.

Salary (85% CSIT), English test concessions, and age up to 55.

482 → 186 after 2 years; 494 → 191 after 3 years.

No, DAMA visas are employer-sponsored, not points-based.

No, endorsement and skills verification are free.

You must be re-nominated by another endorsed NT employer under DAMA.

You cannot apply under DAMA; you may need to explore Skilled Migration pathways.

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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.