Covers major Orana towns including Dubbo, Bathurst, and Orange.
PR pathways after 2–3 years
No points test required.
Concessions available:
Age up to 55 years
Reduced English scores for certain occupations.
Salary concession: below CSIT where AMSR is met.
Family inclusion: can be included with work, study, and Medicare rights.
Employers require endorsement from Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana.
The Orana NSW DAMA is designed to address skill shortages across regional New South Wales.
Administered by: RDA Orana.
Regions covered:Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Wellington, and surrounding areas.
Industries targeted: healthcare, aged care, hospitality, agribusiness, trades, and construction.
Purpose: Provide concessions on English, salary, and age to help employers attract and retain skilled overseas workers in roles where Australians are not available
👉 Example: An aged care provider in Dubbo can sponsor overseas carers with reduced English requirements and progress them to PR after 3 years.
Legally established and operating in the Orana region for 12+ months.
Must demonstrate Labour Market Testing (LMT).
Obtain endorsement from RDA Orana.
Apply for a labour agreement with Home Affairs after endorsement.
Meet sponsorship obligations including fair pay and workplace law compliance.
👉 Example: A construction business in Bathurst unable to source local carpenters applies for RDA Orana endorsement, then nominates candidates through a labour agreement.
Must have an occupation listed on the Orana DAMA occupation list.
Meet skills and experience requirements.
Must meet health and character requirements.
Concessions available:
Age: up to 55 years.
English: reduced test scores permitted.
Salary: up to 10–15% below CSIT if AMSR is met.
👉 Example: A hospitality worker in Orange may qualify under Orana DAMA concessions and apply for PR via 186 after 2 years..
Secure a job offer from an endorsed Orana employer.
| Visa | Duration | PR Pathway | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand Visa | 1–4 years (5 for HK/BNO) | Subclass 186 after 2 years | Age / English / salary concessions |
| Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | Up to 5 years | Subclass 191 after 3 years regional work | Strong regional settlement focus |
| Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) | Permanent | Direct PR (labour agreement stream) | Employer-sponsored, no points test |
| RDA Orana / NSW Government – Fees | |
|---|---|
| Endorsement | AUD 0 |
| Skills verification | AUD 0 |
| Labour agreement application | AUD 0 |
| Note: Migration 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 |
| Visa | Turnover < $10m | Turnover ≥ $10m | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 482 | AUD 1,200 / visa year | AUD 1,800 / visa year | Per visa year |
| Subclass 494 | AUD 3,000 | AUD 5,000 | One-off |
| Subclass 186 | AUD 3,000 | AUD 5,000 | One-off |
Visa Application Charges (approximate, as at 1 July 2025)
| Visa Subclass | Primary (AUD) | Adult ≥18 (AUD) | Child <18 (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 186 | AUD 4,910 | AUD 2,455 | AUD 1,230 | Fixed |
| Subclass 482 (SID) | AUD 3,210 | AUD 3,210 | AUD 805 | Short-term Income Threshold Concession (SID) |
| Subclass 494 | AUD 4,910 | AUD 2,455 | AUD 1,230 | Fixed |
👉 Example (small Orana employer sponsoring a 482 aged care worker for 2 years, turnover <$10m):
| Sponsorship + nomination = AUD 750 |
| SAF levy = AUD 2,400 |
| Visa fee ≈ AUD 2,645 (primary applicant) |
| ➡ Approx. AUD 5,795 total before health/police checks. |
Subclass 494: Refer to DHA Visa Pricing Table (indexed annually).
| Primary | AUD 4,910 |
| Dependent over 18 | AUD 2,455 |
| Dependent Under 18 | AUD 1,230 |
💡 Use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for current charges.
👉 Family must be declared at the time of application or apply later as subsequent entrants.
It’s a migration agreement allowing employers in the Orana region to sponsor overseas workers with tailored concessions.
Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Wellington, and surrounding Orana towns. .
Salary, age (up to 55), and English test concessions.
Yes — DAMA is employer-sponsored, not points-based.
No, endorsement and skills verification are free
Healthcare, aged care, hospitality, agribusiness, trades, and construction..
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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.
