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Build Your Future in the Great South Coast with the DAMA Program

The Great South Coast DAMA (GSC DAMA) enables employers in Warrnambool, Glenelg, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac Otway, and Southern Grampians to sponsor overseas workers in critical shortage industries. It provides age, English, and salary concessions and creates clear permanent residency pathways through Subclass 482, 494, and 186 visas.

️ 🧮 Check My Eligibility

Great South Coast DAMA

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.

Great South Coast DAMA Program Overview

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. 

Eligibility

For Employers

Employers must:

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. 

For Skilled Workers

Workers must:

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. 

🧭 Step-by-Step Guide for

Employers

1
Confirm the role is on the GSC DAMA list.
2
Apply for endorsement via Warrnambool City Council.
3
Apply for a labour agreement with Home Affairs.
4
Nominate the overseas worker.

Skilled Workers

Secure a job offer from an endorsed GSC employer.
Confirm concessions applicable to your role. ​
Lodge visa application (482, 494, or 186). ​
Await decision (average 6–12 months).

Visa Subclass Pathways

👉 Example: A construction worker in Colac Otway may begin on a 494 and progress to PR via 191 after 3 years.

Visa Fees & Charges

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 yearsSubclass 191 after 3 years regional workDesigned for long-term regional settlement
Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)PermanentDirect PR (labour agreement stream)Employer-sponsored, no points test
Warrnambool City Council - Endorsement Fees
Turnover <$10mAUD 750 per position
Turnover ≥$10mAUD 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

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)

Visa SubclassPrimary (AUD)Adult ≥18 (AUD)Child <18 (AUD)Notes
Subclass 186AUD 4,910AUD 2,455AUD 1,230Fixed
Subclass 482 (SID)AUD 3,210AUD 3,210AUD 805Short-term Income Threshold Concession (SID)
Subclass 494AUD 4,910AUD 2,455AUD 1,230Fixed

👉 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).

PrimaryAUD 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 Members You Can Include

Family Members

Spouse or De Facto Partner: Full work rights in Australia

Dependent Children under 18: Access to schooling and Medicare.

Older dependents: May be included if financially dependent.

👉 Family must be declared in the initial application or apply later as subsequent entrants. 

Common Mistakes ✅ Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Common Mistakes to Avoid ​​

Employers applying directly to DHA instead of EKCCI.

Assuming PR is automatic after a 482 grant.

Submitting incomplete Labour Market Testing evidence.

Tips for Strong Application

Always confirm the Goldfields DAMA occupation list.

Budget for endorsement + SAF levy + visa fees.

Start early: endorsement and labour agreement approval can take months.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

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. 

Subclass 482, 494, and 186 (labour agreement streams).

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

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.