On this page
- Legislative framework
- What is the Townsville North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (TNQ DAMA)?
- Designated Regional Area for the TNQ DAMA
- TNQ Occupation & Concession List
Legislative framework
A designated area migration agreement (DAMA) is an overarching labour agreement in place for a particular region of Australia. The process largely sits outside of a legislative framework, with most requirements outlined under policy only. It is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a regional, state or territory authority.
Migration Act 1958 (the Act) and Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations) and associated administrative processes.
The Regulations do, however, set out the requirements that are required to be met where TSS, ENS or SESR nomination or visa applications are lodged under a labour agreement.
In addition, there are provisions in the Act and Regulations that define the terms ‘Work Agreement’ (WA) and ‘Labour Agreement’. The Regulations also include limited provisions regarding requirements for entering into a WA.
As outlined in Regulation 2.76, a Work Agreement is a type of LA. It must:
- be between:
- the Commonwealth, as represented by the Minister, or by the Minister and one or more other Ministers; and
- a person*, an unincorporated association or a partnership; and
- be a LA that authorises the recruitment, employment, or engagement of services of a person who is intended to be employed or engaged as a holder of a TSS visa; and
- be in effect (i.e. signed by all parties).
It provides access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program. DAMAs operate under an agreement-based framework, providing flexibility for regions to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions.
Individual DAMA labour agreements are between the Australian Government and endorsed employers/businesses operating within the relevant designated region. They:
- are generally in effect for five years, and
use the subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS), subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional), and subclass 186 Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa programs.
Application process and how to apply for the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement.
What is the Townsville North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (TNQ DAMA)?
The TNQ DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and Townsville Enterprise. It provides business owners who have exhausted local recruitment options access to overseas workers, providing a flexibility and responsiveness not available through the standard skilled migration programs.
DAMAs are tailored to a region’s unique economic and labour market conditions, and as with all skilled migration schemes they are only accessible if employers can demonstrate skills shortages and have given priority to Australian jobseekers first.
The TNQ DAMA includes over 200 occupations, with age, language and experience concessions available on many of these occupations. For a full list of included occupations click here.
Designated Regional Area for the TNQ DAMA
