Covers six LGAs: Warrnambool, Glenelg, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac Otway, Southern Grampians.
PR pathways after 2–3 years
No points test required.
Concessions Avaiable:
Age up to 55 years
Reduced English requirements
Salary concession: below CSIT if AMSR is met.
Family inclusion: Spouse and children can be included.
Endorsement managed by Warrnambool City Council.
Endorsement fee: AUD $750 (<$10m turnover) / AUD $900 (≥$10m) per position.
The GSC DAMA is designed to tackle workforce shortages across south-western Victoria.
Administered by: Warrnambool City Council (Designated Area Representative).
Regions covered: Warrnambool, Glenelg, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac Otway, Southern Grampians.
Industries targeted: agriculture, dairy, food processing, hospitality, healthcare, construction, and trades.
Purpose: Help local employers sponsor overseas workers where Australians are not available, with tailored concessions for long-term retention.
👉 Example: A dairy farm in Moyne can sponsor farmhands with lower English scores, giving them a pathway to PR after 3 years.
Operating in GSC for at least 12 months.
Must provide Labour Market Testing (LMT).
Apply for endorsement with Warrnambool City Council (fees apply).
Lodge a labour agreement with Home Affairs after endorsement.
Meet sponsorship obligations, including fair pay and workplace compliance.
👉 Example: A healthcare provider in Warrnambool unable to recruit aged care nurses applies for endorsement and then nominates workers under DAMA.
Occupation must be listed on the GSC DAMA occupation list.
Must demonstrate relevant skills, qualifications, and experience.
Must meet health and character requirements
Concessions available:
Age: up to 55 years.
English: reduced test score accepted for eligible role
Salary: up to 10–15% below CSIT if AMSR is met.
👉 Example: A chef in Glenelg may qualify under concessions and apply for PR after 2 years on a 482.
| 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 | Designed for long-term regional settlement |
| Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) | Permanent | Direct PR (labour agreement stream) | Employer-sponsored, no points test |
| Warrnambool City Council - Endorsement Fees | |
|---|---|
| Turnover <$10m | AUD 750 per position |
| Turnover ≥$10m | AUD 900 per position |
| 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 GSC employer sponsoring a 482 cook for 2 years, turnover <$10m):
| Endorsement fee = AUD 750 |
| Sponsorship + nomination = AUD 750 |
| SAF levy = AUD 2,400 |
| Visa fee ≈ AUD 2,645 (primary applicant) |
| ➡ AApprox. AUD 6,545 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 in the initial application or apply later as subsequent entrants.
A regional migration program allowing employers in south-western Victoria to sponsor overseas workers with concessions on age, English, and salary
Warrnambool, Glenelg, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac Otway, and Southern Grampians.
The Warrnambool City Council acts as the Designated Area Representative (DAR).
Yes — AUD 750 (<$10m turnover) / AUD 900 (≥$10m turnover) per position.
No, DAMA visas are employer-sponsored.
Agriculture, dairy, food processing, healthcare, construction, trades, hospitality.
You cannot apply under GSC DAMA; consider Skilled Migration or employer-sponsored visas.
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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.
