RDA Orana Designated area migration agreement (ORANA DAMA)

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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 RDA Orana DAMA

The Regional Development Australia Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement, or RDA Orana DAMA, is a five-year, employer-sponsored visa program agreement between the Regional Development Australia Orana (RDA Orana) region and the Australian Government.

It gives local employers a way to bring onboard overseas workers who are highly skilled in specified industries.

The RDA Orana DAMA isn’t about promoting migrant employment instead of local employment. In fact, RDA Orana strongly encourages employers to offer positions to Australians first wherever possible. The RDA Orana DAMA is simply there to supplement the local workforce in response to the skills shortages in the area.

While there are other paths available to address these skill shortages, such as training and education programs, these options are often nowhere near fast enough. One of the key benefits of having a strong temporary skilled migrant program within Australia is how quickly and efficiently we can respond to these labour and skill shortages.

It can take Australians years to achieve the same qualifications that overseas workers already hold. In the meantime, temporary skilled workers can offer high-quality and highly relevant expertise immediately.

The RDA Orana DAMA allows local employers to employ skilled migrants where needed, bringing valuable skillsets and unique perspectives to the workforce.

Concessions

Under the RDA Orana DAMA, specific variations to the eligibility requirements have been negotiated between RDA Orana and the Australian Government. These arrangements allow some flexibility to recruit staff members who may not quite meet the standard visa criteria but are still able to safely perform the functions of the intended role.

Please note: All concessions need to be applied for. Please request it in your application if needed.

Not all concessions are available for all roles, and for some roles, there are no available concessions.  For more information on the types of concessions, please refer to the relevant tables on each concession page listed below.

The available concessions are:

Permanent Residence Pathway

For all occupations on the Orana DAMA Occupations list, a permanent residence pathway may be available through the ENS (subclass 186) visa, after having lived and worked in the Orana region for two years on a SID (TSS) visa granted under the Orana DAMA.

Age Concession

The Orana DAMA now has age concessions available. These depend on skill level.

  • For occupations with Skill Level 1-4, an age concession of up to 55 years of age is available.
  • For occupations with Skill Level 5, the age concession is up to 50 years of age.

Concession To English Language Requirement

For all skilled migration visas, the nominee is required to meet English language requirements. Visa applicants demonstrate their English language levels by undergoing accepted English language tests. Exemptions from testing apply for some applicants.

The concessions available for the English language will vary depending on the substantive visa being applied for under the DAMA. The Orana DAMA Occupation List shows the occupations where an English concession is available, further detail is outlined in the table below.

For the Occupations that are eligible for the English Language concession, the following applies:

  • SID (TSS) and SESR: average score of IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English)
  • ENS: average score of IELTS 5.0 with no component being less than IELTS 4.0 or equivalent (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English).

Employers seeking an English concession for an occupation need to provide reasoning as part of their endorsement application. This should explain why a lower level of English language is acceptable for the requested occupation. Consideration should be given to how any workplace safety risks will be managed for workers with lower levels of English.

RDA Orana DAMA Occupations

There are 129 occupations which are eligible for sponsorship under the Orana DAMA.

Please see the list below for the occupations and concessions that are available.

All occupations under the RDA Orana DAMA are eligible for the Temporary Skills Shortage visa to Employer Nominated Scheme Permanent Residency Pathway.

The Orana DAMA occupation list