Visa file / Employer sponsored visas
Labour agreements and DAMAs
Agreements for employers whose needs fall outside standard settings, used with the 482, 494 and 186.
In force
Who it is for
Employers (and through them, workers) whose needs fall outside the standard occupation lists or settings. A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a regional framework with a Designated Area Representative.
Published eligibility
- A demonstrated need the Australian labour market cannot meet, and genuine attempts to recruit Australians first.
- For a DAMA: endorsement by the Designated Area Representative.
- Agreements are generally in effect for 5 years.
- 13 DAMAs were listed by Home Affairs on 22 October 2026, including Goulburn Valley and Great South Coast in Victoria, the Northern Territory, Far North Queensland, Townsville, Orana, the Pilbara and Western Australia statewide.
Where you apply from
Not a visa. The employer requests the agreement; workers then apply under the 482, 494 or 186 Labour Agreement streams.
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
Employer enquiry
Check whether a DAMA covers the business location and occupation.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks coverage and the business case.
- 02
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 03
Endorsement and request
Endorsement by the Designated Area Representative or industry body, then a request in ImmiAccount with labour market testing.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the endorsement and request.
- 04
Agreement
If agreed, the agreement is executed.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains the terms and compliance.
- 05
Sponsorship, nomination and visas
Workers apply under the Labour Agreement streams.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares worker applications.
Charges and processing times.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Request for a labour agreement | No fee |
| Nomination, levy and visa charges | As for the 482, 494 or 186 |
These are fees, not visa application charges. The amounts are shown in the table. Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
Processing times: not published by Home Affairs for this visa. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- No genuine need shown.
- Inadequate local recruitment.
- Terms below Australian standards.
- Worker not meeting agreement requirements.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Employer
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
No recent changes are listed for this visa. Check the Home Affairs page for the latest information.
Sources
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.