Step by Step Guide to Apply DAMA for SC482/494 Visa
If you are a skilled worker or an employer in an eligible regional Australian area, you might have heard about the Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). These agreements are a visa pathway to address specific labour shortages in designated regions.
What is a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)?
A DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a state, territory or regional authority. It allows individuals to access a labour agreement with the possibility for a permanent residency (PR) visa pathway. Sponsoring employers and visa applicants can access DAMA with the following visa subclasses:
What is the Step-by-Step Application Process?
Step 1 – Employer to Seek Endorsement
Eligible businesses operating within a designated area must first seek endorsement from the relevant Designated Area Representative (DAR).
The DAR assesses the business’s operations, genuine need for overseas skilled workers and more.
Endorsement criteria vary across different DAMAs, so it is important to consult the specific requirements applicable to the region in which the business operates.
Step 2 – Labour Agreement Application
Once the endorsement is approved, the employer can then apply to the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) for a labour agreement under the relevant DAMA stream.
This involves providing detailed information about the business, the nominated occupations, and more.
Step 3 – Nomination Application
After the labour agreement is approved, the employer can nominate the individual skilled worker for the specific occupation under the agreement.
The nomination application includes information about the employee’s occupation, meeting genuine need, their qualification and more.
Step 4 – Visa Application
When the nomination is granted by DoHA, the relevant visa application can be submitted, which typically is a SC482 or SC494.
Visa applicant has to meet all visa requirements such as skills, qualification, health and character.
Read our clients’ testimonials on Agape Henry Crux and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, Jason Ling.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
Each DAMA operates independently and within a specific area. Consult with a professional immigration lawyer at Agape Henry Crux on how to proceed and navigate through the process. Our team of immigration lawyers works together with two of our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. We can also help you arrange an interpreter if this isn't your language.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.
Client Testimonials
….we call it Support Network
As navigating through the immigration law process may be difficult, our former clients have agreed to share their experiences through telephone chats, emails and meetings in person.
These are their stories…
