Update 21 March 2022
On 21 March 2022, the Australian Government announced that they will be addressing labour shortages in the Northern Territory through updates to the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) program.
The Northern Territory DAMA program will be updated to allow:
- An increase in number of eligible occupations – 124 skilled and semi-skilled occupations (previously 117)
- Additional concessions to standard visa eligibility
- An increase to the nominated skilled migration allocation for the 2021-2022 year – an additional 200 places for the Skilled Work Regional (SC 491 Visa) category
DAMA for Northern Territory
The new Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) lets the Northern Territory (NT) employers sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers. It is the second version of the NT DAMA and applies to the whole of the NT and is tailored to address current and emerging labour market shortages and local terms and conditions of employment.
NT DAMA utilises the labour agreement stream of the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), businesses enter into a labour agreement with the Australian Government and workers are then granted a subclass 482 visa.
Note: The NT DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program and individual workers cannot apply for a visa independently.
The key elements of NT DAMA are:
- pathways to permanent residency for NT DAMA visa holders (including transitional arrangements for existing visa holders)
- a broad range of occupations that reflect NT skilled and semi-skilled shortages, with no caveats to apply
- English language concessions for some occupations
- salary concessions that reflect NT market rates, ensuring that worker terms and conditions of employment are not eroded, and NT businesses and consumers are not subjected to inflationary costs
- a range of risk and integrity actions to ensure that the rights of both employees and employers are protected
- a five year agreement to reduce red tape.
Users of the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement
Businesses can access the NT DAMA if they are actively operating in the NT and:
- are viable and have been operating for at least 12 months
- have no history of not meeting its obligations to employees
- are looking to employ overseas workers to fill full-time positions with duties that align with one of the occupations on the NT DAMA list
- can demonstrate they cannot fill the position locally with Australian citizens or permanent residents
- can provide terms and conditions of employment to overseas workers that are in accordance with those offered to Australian workers employed in the region.
Occupations included in the agreement
The table shows occupations that are eligible for sponsorship under the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA).
It also shows the concessions that may be applied.
Your business can seek a Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) concession. However, there must be a strong business case provided to support a TSMIT concession.
Your business has to show that the salary offered to a prospective overseas worker is at least what an Australian citizen or permanent resident could expect doing the same job in the same location.
| ANZSCO code | Occupation | ANZSCO skill level | English concession may be available | TSMIT concession may be available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221111 | Accountant – general | 1 | ||
| 551111 | Accounts clerk | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 423111 | Aged or disabled carer | 4 | ✓ | |
| 721111 | Agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operator | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 231111 | Aeroplane pilot^ | 1 | ||
| 342111 | Airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic^ | 3 | ✓ | |
| 323111 | Aircraft maintenance engineer – avionics^ | 3 | ✓ | |
| 323112 | Aircraft maintenance engineer – mechanical^ | 3 | ✓ | |
| 121111 | Aquaculture farmer | 1 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 362212 | Arborist | 3 | ✓ | |
| 321111 | Automotive electrician | 3 | ✓ | |
| 351111 | Baker | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 070499# | Bar attendant – supervisor^ | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 431112 | Barista | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 451111 | Beauty therapist | 4 | ✓ | |
| 121312 | Beef cattle farmer | 1 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 551211 | Bookkeeper | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 731211 | Bus driver^ | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 351211 | Butcher or smallgoods maker | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 394111 | Cabinetmaker | 3 | ✓ | |
| 342411 | Cabler – data and telecommunications | 3 | ✓ | |
| 141111 | Café or restaurant manager | 2 | ✓ | |
| 331212 | Carpenter | 3 | ✓ | |
| 351311 | Chef | 2 | ✓ | |
| 111111 | Chief executive or managing director | 1 | ||
| 421111 | Childcare worker^ | 4 | ✓ | |
| 134111 | Childcare centre manager^ | 1 | ||
| 312212 | Civil engineering technician | 2 | ✓ | |
| 411711 | Community worker | 2 | ✓ | |
| 149311 | Conference and event organiser | 2 | ✓ | |
| 351411 | Cook | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 070499# | Cook – specialist ethnic cuisine | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 149212 | Customer service manager | 2 | ✓ | |
| 442213 | Crowd controller^ | 4 | ✓ | |
| 899211 | Deckhand^ | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 423211 | Dental assistant | 4 | ✓ | |
| 321212 | Diesel motor mechanic | 3 | ✓ | |
| 411712 | Disabilities services officer | 2 | ✓ | |
| 399911 | Diver | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 241111 | Early childhood (pre-primary school) teacher^ | 1 | ||
| 721211 | Earthmoving plant operator – general | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 311412 | Earth science technician | 2 | ✓ | |
| 342211 | Electrical linesworker^ | 3 | ✓ | |
| 342314 | Electronic instrument trades worker – general | 3 | ✓ | |
| 721214 | Excavator operator | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 149913 | Facilities manager | 2 | ||
| 421112 | Family day care worker^ | 4 | ✓ | |
| 411713 | Family support worker | 2 | ✓ | |
| 323211 | Fitter – general | 3 | ✓ | |
| 323212 | Fitter and turner | 3 | ✓ | |
| 323213 | Fitter-welder | 3 | ✓ | |
| 332111 | Floor finisher | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 231113 | Flying instructor^ | 1 | ||
| 721311 | Forklift driver | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 121213 | Fruit or nut grower | 1 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 431311 | Gaming worker | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 142114 | Hair or beauty salon manager | 2 | ✓ | |
| 391111 | Hairdresser | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 313111 | Hardware technician | 2 | ✓ | |
| 141311 | Hotel or motel manager | 2 | ✓ | |
| 542113 | Hotel or motel receptionist | 4 | ✓ | |
| 431411 | Hotel service manager | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 313112 | ICT customer support officer | 2 | ✓ | |
| 313199 | ICT support technicians nec | 2 | ✓ | |
| 272412 | Interpreter^ | 1 | ||
| 362213 | Landscape gardener | 3 | ✓ | |
| 141411 | Licensed club manager | 2 | ✓ | |
| 721912 | Linemarker | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 221112 | Management accountant | 1 | ||
| 225113 | Marketing specialist | 1 | ✓ | |
| 322311 | Metal fabricator | 3 | ✓ | |
| 121411 | Mixed crop and livestock farmer | 1 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 121216 | Mixed crop farmer | 1 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 121317 | Mixed livestock farmer | 1 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 321211 | Motor mechanic – general | 3 | ✓ | |
| 899411 | Motor vehicle parts and accessories fitter – general | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 621311 | Motor vehicle or caravan salesperson | 4 | ✓ | |
| 621312 | Motor vehicle parts interpreter | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 321213 | Motorcycle mechanic | 3 | ✓ | |
| 423312 | Nursing support worker | 4 | ✓ | |
| 512111 | Office manager | 2 | ||
| 421114 | Out of school hours care worker^ | 4 | ✓ | |
| 324111 | Panelbeater | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 423313 | Personal care assistant | 4 | ✓ | |
| 311215 | Pharmacy technician | 2 | ✓ | |
| 334111 | Plumber – general^ | 3 | ✓ | |
| 322312 | Pressure welder | 3 | ✓ | |
| 511112 | Program or project administrator | 2 | ||
| 612112 | Property manager | 3 | ||
| 272612 | Recreation officer | 1 | ||
| 411715 | Residential care worker | 2 | ✓ | |
| 142111 | Retail manager – general | 2 | ✓ | |
| 621511 | Retail supervisor | 4 | ✓ | |
| 131112 | Sales and marketing manager | 1 | ||
| 322211 | Sheetmetal trades worker | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 231212 | Ship’s engineer | 1 | ✓ | |
| 231213 | Ship’s master^ | 1 | ||
| 321214 | Small engine mechanic | 3 | ✓ | |
| 399516 | Sound technician | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 133611 | Supply and distribution manager | 1 | ✓ | |
| 221113 | Taxation accountant | 1 | ||
| 342412 | Telecommunications cable jointer | 3 | ✓ | |
| 342413 | Telecommunications linesworker | 3 | ✓ | |
| 342414 | Telecommunications technician | 3 | ✓ | |
| 423314 | Therapy aide | 4 | ✓ | |
| 451412 | Tour guide | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 733111 | Truck driver – general^ | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 121221 | Vegetable grower | 1 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 324311 | Vehicle painter | 3 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 361311 | Veterinary nurse | 3 | ✓ | |
| 070499# | Waiter supervisor | 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 712921 | Waste water or water plant operator | 4 | ||
| 313113 | Web administrator | 2 | ✓ | |
| 232414 | Web designer | 1 | ✓ | |
| 322313 | Welder – first class | 3 | ✓ | |
| 272613 | Welfare worker | 1 | ✓ | |
| 411716 | Youth worker | 2 | ✓ |
# occupations not listed in ANZSCO
^ applicants must meet occupational licensing or registration requirements.
Concessions available
The Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) provides eligible businesses access to occupations not available through the standard stream of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) visa. It also provides for English language and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) concessions.
View the occupation included in the agreement for the concessions that are available for each occupation. Not all occupations are eligible for concessions.
Additional occupations not in ANZSCO
The NT DAMA is unique in that it provides access to three occupations not in the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation (ANZSCO).
These are:
- bar attendant (supervisor)
- waiter (supervisor)
- cook (specialist ethnic cuisine)
For the purposes of the NT DAMA these occupations have been given the code 070499.
For these occupations, applicants need to demonstrate that skills, qualifications and experience align to the following sample position descriptions:
- Bar attendant (supervisor)
Bar attendant (supervisor) - Waiter (supervisor)
Waiter (supervisor) - Cook (specialist ethnic cuisine)
Cook (specialist ethnic cuisine)
English language concessions
The English language concessions are available to overseas workers applying for a temporary TSS visa, and those transitioning to Australian permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) labour agreement pathway.
| IELTS band | Standard | TSS concession | ENS concession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Medium term stream – 5.0 Short term stream – 5.0 |
5.0 | 5.0 |
| Speaking | Medium term stream – 5.0 Short term stream – 4.5 |
4.0 | 4.5 |
| Listening | Medium term stream – 5.0 Short term stream – 4.5 |
4.0 | 4.5 |
| Reading | Medium term stream – 5.0 Short term stream – 4.5 |
No minimum | 4.5 |
| Writing | Medium term stream – 5.0 Short term stream – 4.5 |
No minimum | 4.5 |
Some applicants do not need to undertake an English test. For further information contact us.
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold concessions
All workers employed under the DAMA must be employed under Australian employment conditions and receive no less than what an Australian would to undertake the same job in the same location.
Many employer sponsored visa programs, including the standard TSS program, have a minimum threshold that can be paid. The TSMIT which currently sits at $53,900 also applies.
The TSMIT concessions available for employers are:
Concession type 1 – up to a 10% concession to the TSMIT
Businesses must demonstrate the annual monetary earnings provided will be no less than 90% of the TSMIT, ie no less than $48,510.
Concession type 2 – up to a 10% concession to the TSMIT, and the inclusion of non-monetary earnings (other)
Businesses must demonstrate that the annual earnings provided will be no less than 90% of the TSMIT, ie no less than $48,510.
These annual earnings can be comprised of ‘non-monetary earnings (other)’ to the value of up to $4,851. Non-monetary earnings (other) refers to benefits other than food and board (eg, phone, vehicle, flights).
Concession type 3 – up to a 10% concession to the TSMIT less non-monetary earnings (food and board)
Businesses must demonstrate that the annual earnings provided will be no less than 90% of the TSMIT, ie no less than $48,510.
These annual earnings can be comprised of ‘non-monetary earnings (food and board)’. This refers to accommodation and meals benefits and cannot exceed published homestay accommodation rates for the NT. For more information on homestay rates go to the Northern Territory Government website.
Non-monetary earnings (other) refers to benefits other than food and board (eg, phone, vehicle, flights) and is capped at $4,851.
Concession type 4 – up to a 10% concession to the TSMIT less non-monetary earnings (all)
Businesses must demonstrate that the annual earnings provided will be no less than 90% of the TSMIT, ie no less than $48,510.
These annual earnings can be comprised of ‘non-monetary earnings (food and board)’ and ‘non-monetary earnings (other)’. Non-monetary earnings (food and board) refers to accommodation and meals benefits and cannot exceed published homestay accommodation rates for the NT.
Important:
Employers that seek concessions based on non-monetary benefits provided to overseas workers must ensure the:
- benefits support the living costs of the overseas worker, and
- overseas worker would have incurred that cost had it not been provided by the approved sponsor, and
- benefits are quantifiable, and
- benefits are consistent with terms and conditions provided to existing Australians employed in a similar position, and
- benefits are guaranteed in the employment contract, and
- benefits exclude contingent payments such as overtime (other than guaranteed overtime), bonuses and commissions.
Expansion of Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs)
The expansion of Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) will get the right skills into the right regions, to support regional businesses and make sure local communities thrive.
These tailored agreements are a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a specific regional area. They enable participating regions to respond to their unique workforce shortages by accessing experienced overseas workers for vacant skilled or semi-skilled occupations that cannot be filled by Australian workers from the local labour market.
The Northern Territory DAMA has been operating successfully since 2015 and a further five-year agreement commenced in December 2018. The Minister has also agreed to establish DAMAs in additional regional locations:
- Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia (Goldfields)
- Regional South Australia
- Adelaide City
- Great South Coast, Victoria (which was announced late last year).
Contact us today for a commitment free briefing with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find more about your visa options.
