New 5 Year Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) Approved for the Northern Territory

The Australian government has introduced a new five-year Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for the Northern Territory, designed to address critical labour shortages and support local businesses. This new agreement, effective immediately, offers a pathway for businesses in the Northern Territory to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers in specific occupations where they are unable to find suitable Australian workers.

Unlike the previous NT DAMA, this agreement features a higher number of nomination places, streamlined application processes and an expanded occupation list offering more options to businesses and organisations that were previously limited or were not available via the standard skilled migration programs.

The new and revised DAMA aims to provide flexibility and responsiveness to the Northern Territory’s unique workforce needs.

Key Features of the New Northern Territory DAMA

• Targeted Approach on Key Sectors of the NT: The DAMA targets specific industries and occupations facing critical shortages in the NT such as agribusiness, hospitality, tourism and healthcare.
  
• English & Salary Concessions: It offers flexible requirements for English language proficiency and salary levels, recognizing the unique circumstances of the Northern Territory labour market.
  
• Pathways to Permanent Residency: The agreement provides pathways to permanent residency via the ENS (subclass 186) visa for eligible workers, attracting and retaining skilled migrants in the long term.
  
• Expanded Occupation List: The DAMA includes a more comprehensive list of eligible occupations available for sponsorship which are closely aligned to the NT’s diverse industries and specific needs.

How the DAMA Works

Businesses seeking to utilise the DAMA must first apply for endorsement from the Northern Territory Government, demonstrating a genuine need for overseas workers and a commitment to employing them under fair conditions. Once endorsed, businesses can then sponsor individual workers by submitting a Labour Agreement request and nominating individuals through the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa

More Information & Assistance with the NT DAMA

If you are a business in the Northern Territory experiencing labour shortages and would like to explore how the Northern Territory DAMA can assist your business, please contact our office for further information and assistance.