GV DAMA Explained: Skilled Migration Pathways for the Goulburn Valley

Australia’s regions are the backbone of its economy, and yet many continue to face challenges in filling critical workforce gaps. To address this, the Australian Government has introduced Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA), tailored to regional needs. One of the most significant examples is the Goulburn Valley DAMA, a program that opens doors for both employers and skilled or semi-skilled overseas workers.

Situated in Goulburn Valley, VIC, this program provides a flexible migration pathway that directly responds to the region’s acute labour shortages while offering opportunities for overseas workers to contribute to, and grow within, the local economy. In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials of the GV Designated Area Migration Agreement, explore its benefits, and outline the skilled migration pathways it offers.

What is a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a designated region. It provides greater flexibility than the standard skilled migration program, allowing regions with specific economic and labour challenges to sponsor overseas workers in targeted occupations.

Unlike the one-size-fits-all national skilled visa program, DAMAs are highly localized. They allow for concessions such as lower English language requirements, extended age limits, and salary or experience flexibility. The GV Designated Area Migration Agreement is one such example, designed to strengthen the workforce and economy of the Goulburn Valley.

Overview of the Goulburn Valley DAMA

The Goulburn Valley DAMA was officially signed in December 2021, making it one of the newest DAMA Areas in Victoria. It covers the Goulburn Valley DAMA areas of:

Greater Shepparton City Council

Moira Shire Council

Campaspe Shire Council

This region, often referred to as the “food bowl of Australia,” is renowned for its agriculture, food manufacturing, and dairy industries. With ongoing challenges in sourcing local workers, the DAMA provides a lifeline to businesses and industries that are crucial to regional and national supply chains.

For geographical context, employers and migrants can explore the Goulburn Valley DAMA map, which outlines the designated coverage area within regional Victoria.

Occupations and Job Vacancies Under the Goulburn Valley DAMA

A cornerstone of the DAMA is its occupation list. Unlike traditional skilled migration programs that limit eligible job roles to higher-level occupations, the Goulburn Valley DAMA job vacancies include both skilled and semi-skilled occupations (Skill Levels 1–5).

Industries benefiting from this initiative include:

Agriculture and Horticulture: farmhands, fruit pickers, machinery operators.

Food Processing and Dairy: production workers, machine operators, technicians.

Transport and Logistics: truck drivers, supply chain managers.

Healthcare and Aged Care: carers, nurses, allied health assistants.

By tailoring job opportunities to local demand, the Goulburn Valley DAMA areas create a more targeted and effective migration program, ensuring workforce shortages are addressed where they are most critical.

Benefits of the GV DAMA for Employers

For businesses in Goulburn Valley, VIC, the DAMA offers significant advantages:

Flexibility: Employers can sponsor both skilled and semi-skilled workers.

Occupation Additions: New roles can be added to the DAMA list based on evidence of demand.

Visa Pathways: Access to Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional), and Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visas.

Permanent Residency: Well-defined routes to PR for eligible workers.

Concessions: Age limits extended to 50 or 55 (instead of 45), lower English language requirements, and relaxed work experience criteria.

Salary Adjustments: Concessions available for lower-skilled roles while ensuring compliance with workplace laws.

In short, the GV Designated Area Migration Agreement provides employers with certainty, enabling them to plan their workforce needs without the constant disruption of skill shortages.

Benefits of the GV DAMA for Workers

For overseas workers aspiring to build a life in Goulburn Valley, VIC, the program provides unique opportunities:

Diverse Job Opportunities: Access to a wide range of occupations, including semi-skilled roles not available under the standard skilled migration program.

Pathway to Permanent Residency: Workers can progress from provisional to permanent visas, offering long-term stability in Australia.

Concessions: Reduced barriers such as age flexibility, lower English thresholds, and relaxed experience requirements.

Fair Conditions: Migrants are guaranteed the same workplace protections and conditions as Australian workers.

This balance of opportunity and protection ensures that overseas workers contribute meaningfully to the region while building secure futures for themselves and their families.

Visa Pathways Under the GV DAMA

The Goulburn Valley Designated Area Migration Agreement uses three main visa streams:

1. Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa

It allows employers to sponsor overseas workers in approved occupations.

2. Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

It is a regional visa that provides a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Permanent Residence Skilled Regional (PRSR) visa.

3. Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa

This is suitable for eligible workers who have met the qualifying requirements. It leads to permanent residency.

Each of these pathways ensures that overseas workers not only fill immediate job gaps but also have opportunities to remain and grow in the DAMA Area in Victoria.

How Employers Can Access the GV DAMA

Employers must meet specific requirements to participate in the program. They must:

Be actively operating in the Goulburn Valley DAMA areas.

Demonstrate business viability and at least 12 months of operation.

Provide evidence of unsuccessful recruitment of Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Offer full-time employment aligned with occupations on the DAMA list.

Ensure employment conditions are consistent with those provided to local workers.

The process involves the following steps:-

1. Endorsement by the Designated Area Representative (DAR).

2. Application for a DAMA labour agreement through the Department of Home Affairs.

3. Nomination of overseas workers for visa sponsorship.

This structured pathway ensures integrity while supporting employers in filling urgent workforce needs.

The Role of the Designated Area Representative (DAR)

The GV Designated Area Migration Agreement is managed locally by the Greater Shepparton City Council, acting as the Designated Area Representative.

Its responsibilities include:-

Endorsing employers seeking access to the DAMA.

Monitoring labour market patterns in the Goulburn Valley.

Providing support to businesses and visa holders.

Reporting and evaluation to the Australian Government.

This local oversight ensures that the program remains responsive to the evolving needs of the Goulburn Valley DAMA areas while protecting the rights of both workers and employers.

Why the GV DAMA Matters for Regional Growth

The Goulburn Valley Designated Area Migration Agreement is more than just a migration pathway. It is an investment in the region’s future. It contributes significantly towards the following:-

Addressing Labour Shortages: Filling critical gaps in agriculture, transport, healthcare, and food industries.

Boosting the Economy: Supporting regional businesses and ensuring long-term stability.

Strengthening Communities: Attracting skilled workers who contribute socially and economically to the region.

Supporting Victoria: As one of the key DAMA Areas in Victoria, the Goulburn Valley plays a pivotal role in regional growth strategies.

By balancing workforce needs with migrant opportunities, the GV DAMA ensures sustainable development in Goulburn Valley, VIC.

Wrapping Up

The Goulburn Valley DAMA represents a powerful tool for addressing workforce challenges in one of Australia’s most vital regional economies. For employers, it provides access to skilled and semi-skilled labour with concessions that make recruitment more feasible. For workers, it opens pathways to job security, permanent residency, and a future in regional Australia.

As one of the key DAMA Areas in Victoria, the GV Designated Area Migration Agreement is not just about filling jobs. Rather, it’s about strengthening the long-term resilience and growth of Goulburn Valley, VIC.

Looking to take advantage of the Goulburn Valley DAMA and secure your skilled migration pathway? Partner with Visa Empire, a leading visa agent in Australia. We happen to be the best and the leading migration agent in Perth for offering expert guidance and unmatched end-to-end support.

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