The Northern Territory (NT) continues to lead the way in regional migration by signing its third Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA III). Officially secured on March 2025, this new agreement offers extended support to local employers and skilled migrants by addressing critical labour shortages across the Territory. DAMA III is valid until 30 June 2030 and reinforces the NT’s long-term commitment to regional growth and skilled workforce development.
What is the Northern Territory DAMA?
A DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) is a formal arrangement between the Australian Government and a regional area experiencing skill shortages. It enables employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled international workers for positions they cannot fill locally under standard visa programs.
The Northern Territory was the first region to implement a DAMA in 2015.
Key Highlights of NT DAMA III
The newly signed DAMA agreement brings the following significant updates:
- Increased Occupation List: The new DAMA includes an expanded list of 325 occupations across diverse industries such as health care, construction, hospitality, agriculture, and mining.
- More Nomination Places: Employers in the NT can now access up to 1,500 nomination places per year, more than double the previous limit of 625 under DAMA II.
- Extended Timeline: The agreement remains valid until 30 June 2030, giving businesses a stable and long-term option to plan their workforce needs.
- Data-Driven Planning: The agreement is based on rigorous labor market analysis by Jobs and Skills Australia, ensuring that nominated occupations reflect real-time workforce demands in the Territory.
What This Means for Employers and Skilled Migrants
DAMA III gives a practical pathway to address fulfill shortages for NT employers struggling to find workers locally through skilled overseas recruitment. The increase in occupation types and nomination places significantly broadens the talent pool.
For skilled migrants, the agreement opens up more opportunities to live and work in regional Australia, specifically for those who may not meet the strict criteria of skilled migration visas. The NT DAMA also provides a pathway to permanent residency, making it the best option for long-term settlement in Australia.
Start Your DAMA Journey Today
The new NT DAMA III is a major step toward bridging the gap between workforce shortages and skilled migration. If you are an employer looking to sponsor talent or a skilled worker seeking opportunities in regional Australia, understanding your options under the DAMA is essential.
At Oracle Immigration, we guide you through every DAMA visa application process step. We stay updated with the latest policy updates, so you don’t have to.
Book an appointment with us today to find out if the NT DAMA is the right pathway for you.
Disclaimer: The above information is not tailored to personal circumstances.
For information relevant to personal circumstances, please book an
appointment with Oracle Immigration Consultant’s expert migration agents in
Australia.
For any inquiries, please contact us at +61 430812158. We are premier Immigration agency and consultancy in Melbourne (Bundoora and Geelong).
