DAMA New South Wales (NSW)
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The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) in New South Wales opens doors for regional employers to address labor shortages and for skilled overseas workers to access flexible visa pathways. Tailored to meet the unique workforce needs of NSW’s regional economies, DAMAs provide concessions that are not available under standard skilled migration programs.
What is DAMA NSW?
DAMA NSW refers to agreements in regional parts of New South Wales that allow employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers in areas with critical labor shortages. These agreements are made between the Australian Government and regional authorities within NSW.
Currently, NSW has one active DAMA. It is the Orana DAMA. It covers the Orana region in central northern NSW.
Key Features:
- It offers access to a broad range of occupations that are not available under standard skilled migration lists
- It provides concessions on age, English language, and experience to attract the right talent
- It offers up to a 5-year visa with a pathway to permanent residency
- Since it is employer-sponsored, it streamlines workforce shortages in key industries
Eligible Region in NSW:
Orana Region DAMA covers towns such as Dubbo, Coonabarabran, Mudgee, and Wellington.
Its targeted sectors are as follows:-
- Health and aged care
- Agriculture and farming
- Construction and trades
- Hospitality and tourism
- Automotive and transport
Occupation List
To explore the full list of eligible occupations and the associated concessions, refer to the Orana DAMA Occupation List.
Are you ready to explore skilled migration opportunities in New South Wales?
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Orana DAMA – Extended Coverage in NSW Regions
The Orana DAMA isn’t just confined to the Orana region. It also extends to additional key areas across regional New South Wales. Those include:-
- Central West
- Southern Inland
- Murray
- Riverina
This broader coverage provides significant benefits to regional employers and skilled overseas workers alike. It assists in bridging workforce gaps in areas with ongoing skill shortages.
Why the Extension Matters
The inclusion of these additional regions indicates the growing demand for talent across a wider part of regional NSW. Each RDA (Regional Development Area) region now benefits from the following:-
- Access to a tailored occupation list with critical skills in demand
- Visa concessions that allow more flexibility with English language proficiency, age, and work experience
- A 5-year TSS visa with a clear path to permanent residency
- Assistance for employers in agriculture, aged care, trades, manufacturing, and more
The key sectors supported by it are as follows:-
- Agriculture and viticulture
- Health and aged care
- Hospitality and tourism
- Skilled trades and infrastructure
- Transport and logistics
Extended Regions at a Glance
- Central West NSW: Bathurst, Orange, Lithgow
- Southern Inland: Goulburn, Queanbeyan, Cooma
- Murray: Albury, Deniliquin
- Riverina: Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Leeton
The aforementioned extended areas now fall under the same framework as the Orana DAMA. This makes skilled migration more accessible across NSW.
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Looking to hire skilled workers or migrate to regional NSW?
Whether you’re an employer or a skilled applicant, Visa Empire is right here to assist you in navigating the Orana DAMA process smoothly.
FAQs – Orana DAMA (Extended Regions)
What regions are included under the extended Orana DAMA?
The extended Orana DAMA now includes Central West, Southern Inland, Murray, and Riverina RDA regions in addition to the core Orana area.
Who can apply as an employer under the Orana DAMA?
Employers must be operating in one of the designated regions, they must have been active for at least 12 months, and they must demonstrate genuine local recruitment efforts before sponsoring.
Which visas are available under the Orana DAMA?
Eligible employers can sponsor overseas workers via Subclass 482 (TSS), Subclass 494 (SESR), and Subclass 186 (ENS) visas, many of which offer pathways to permanent residency.
What concessions does the Orana DAMA offer?
Concessions may include relaxed age limits (up to 55 for skill levels 1–4), lower English language scores (IELTS average 5.0), and reduced salary thresholds (TSMIT/CSIT).
Can workers live anywhere in NSW after getting a DAMA visa?
No. Workers sponsored under the Orana DAMA must live and work within the designated region for the duration of their visa.