Support
The Designated Area Representative (DAR) will provide guidance and the request for endorsement form to employers in preparing and submitting an application to participate in the DAMA program.
The DAR can be contacted by phone 5832 9700 or email dama@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
It is the employers responsibility to compile and submit all of the required documentation in hard copy to the DAR.
If an application is endorsed by the DAR all further enquiries should be made directly with correspondence is between the employer and the Department of Home Affairs. The Department cannot provide immigration advice.
Employers who need a high level of assistance with the whole or part of the process should get help from an appropriate service provider.
If you decide to use a migration agent, it is recommended that you choose an agent from the Register of Migration Agents.
The register lists all agents registered with the office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority to provide immigration assistance.
FAQ for Businesses
Who can sponsor prospective workers under the GV DAMA?
Businesses with well-established operations in the GV region for a minimum of 12 months are able to sponsor prospective workers.
Can businesses sponsor prospective workers currently residing overseas under the GV DAMA?
Yes, employers can sponsor workers either residing in Australia or overseas from any country.
How long is the process time for the GV DAMA application?
The GV Designated Area Representative (DAR) endeavours to complete assessments in a timely manner. However, if businesses have not supplied all necessary information required to make a decision the process will take longer. The Department of Home Affairs determines its own processing times.
Does the labour market testing apply under the GV DAMA?
Yes, find out more by contacting the DAR.
Does the Skilling Australian Fund levy apply under the GV DAMA?
Yes, for more information read the Skilling Australia Fund page.
FAQ for Prospective Workers
Can prospective workers apply for a visa under the GV DAMA independently?
No, DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program which employers can nominate to sponsor under subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS), subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional), and subclass 186 Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa. Businesses must apply to the GV DAR to access the GV DAMA for the Approved Occupations, concessions and number of overseas workers they require.
If the business is endorsed by the DAR and if the Australian Government signs a labour agreement with the business, they can then submit nomination applications for the appropriately skilled workers they have identified. An overseas worker interested in a visa cannot apply independently.
Will the DAR recommend businesses that may want to sponsor prospective workers under the GV DAMA?
No, under the GV DAMA, the DAR is not responsible for connecting those interested in a visa with businesses who are endorsed, nor those who may be interested in applying to be endorsed.
Will the prospective workers be guaranteed permanent residency under the GV DAMA?
No, overseas workers must meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residency under the GV DAMA.
A permanent residence pathway for overseas workers may be available through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa program or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) for all Approved Occupations in the GV DAMA.
For the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa program:
- The overseas worker, at the time of an application for approval of the nomination in relation to an ENS visa (‘the ENS nomination’), holds a TSS visa granted in connection with this Agreement; and
- The third party’s ENS nomination identifies an occupation that was the subject of the most recently approved TSS visa for the overseas worker; and
- The overseas worker has been employed for a period of at least 3 years before the ENS nomination is made. The overseas worker is in the ENS nominated occupation or an occupation in the same ANZSCO 4 digit level, being an occupation specified in GV DAMA. This is made by one or more third parties who were all endorsed under the GV DAMA,; and
- For the whole time that the overseas worker was employed in accordance with paragraph (c):
- he or she must have held a TSS visa granted in connection with the GV DAMA; and
- he or she must have worked in the designated area (the GV); and
- The overseas worker identified in the ENS nomination will be employed on a full-time basis in the position for at least 2 years, and
- The terms and conditions of employment of the overseas worker will not include an exclusion to the possibility of extending the period of employment.
For the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) program:
- This visa is outside the Labour Agreement. Information about this visa is on the Department of Home Affairs website
What visa will be granted to a nominee worker under the GV DAMA?
An overseas worker who is successfully sponsored under the GV DAMA is granted a subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS), subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional), or subclass 186 Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa.
Who will grant the visa under the GV DAMA?
The Department of Home Affairs makes all visa decisions.
Is there an age limit on the applicant?
The GV DAMA provides an age concession from the standard program. Eligible nominees must be aged under 55 years at the time they apply for an ENS visa. To be nominated for an ENS visa under the GV DAMA, the nominee must have held a TSS visa granted in connection with the GV DAMA for three years.
Who do I contact if I have a workplace grievance that I believe is not being properly addressed by my employer?
All workers in Australia have the same rights and protections at work, regardless of citizenship or visa status.
Your employer must comply with Australian workplace and immigration laws.
You can also report suspicious border-related behaviour and activities to the Australian Border Force through Border Watch.
Workers
The DAMA program is an employer-sponsored program and individual workers cannot apply independently.
Workers interested in any of the occupations listed in the GV DAMA will need to contact suitable employers for sponsorship consideration to pursue their interest in the program.
The DAR will not accept expressions of interest from interested workers and will not provide any information on any interested workers to the region’s employers.
Workers must contact employers directly.