DAMA Occupation List Australia: Find the Correct Regional List

Executive Summary

The correct sequence is:

1. identify the employer and work location;
2. identify the DAMA covering that location;
3. identify the genuine position and duties;
4. find the occupation that best describes the position;
5. read every condition attached to the listing;
6. assess the worker against the occupation and visa requirements;
7. confirm employer endorsement and labour-agreement eligibility; and
8. check whether the pathway supports the intended permanent outcome.

Why There Is No National DAMA Occupation List

A Designated Area Migration Agreement responds to workforce shortages within a defined part of Australia.

Each DAMA is negotiated between the Australian Government and a designated area representative.

That representative may be:

• a state government;
• a territory government;
• a regional development organisation;
• a chamber of commerce;
• a local-government body; or
• another approved regional authority.

The agreement may have its own:

• geographic coverage;
• occupation list;
• industries;
• visa subclasses;
• skills-assessment settings;
• work-experience requirements;
• English concessions;
• age concessions;
• salary concessions;
• employer-endorsement requirements; and
• permanent-residence pathways.

An occupation appearing under an agreement in Queensland therefore does not establish access for an employer in South Australia, Western Australia or the Northern Territory.

How to Find the Correct DAMA Occupation List

Start with the employer

The employer’s location determines which agreements may be available.

Check:

• the legal employing entity;
• the Australian Business Number;
• where the business operates;
• where the employee will work;
• whether the employee will work across several sites;
• whether the employee will work remotely;
• whether another company in the group operates the regional site; and
• which entity will seek endorsement and lodge the nomination.

Identify the regional agreement

Some parts of Australia may be covered by more than one potentially relevant agreement.

This is particularly important in Western Australia, where a statewide agreement operates alongside regional DAMAs.

Identify the real position

Do not begin by selecting the occupation that appears easiest to sponsor.

Begin with:

• the business problem the employer needs solved;
• the work the employee will perform;
• the required skill level;
• the qualifications normally needed;
• the employee’s authority and responsibility;
• the salary;
• the reporting structure; and
• the position’s place within the organisation.

Official DAMA Occupation Lists by Region

Occupation availability should be checked through the current material published by the relevant designated area representative.

The table below provides official starting points. The agreement, occupation list and endorsement criteria should be checked again when an employer is ready to proceed.

Official links should be checked at the time of assessment because occupation lists, agreement coverage and concession settings can change.

Western Australia DAMA Occupation Lists

Western Australia requires particular care because employers may encounter more than one DAMA framework.

The statewide Western Australia DAMA operates alongside regional agreements, including arrangements associated with areas such as:

• Goldfields;
• Kimberley;
• Pilbara; and
• South West.

The applicable agreement can affect:

• whether the occupation is available;
• the geographic coverage;
• the designated area representative;
• employer endorsement;
• English requirements;
• age settings;
• salary concessions;
• skills and experience requirements;
• the visa subclass; and
• the permanent pathway.

The employer may not simply choose the most generous list

Access depends on matters such as:

• where the employer operates;
• where the position will be performed;
• which agreement covers that employer and location;
• whether the occupation appears under the agreement;
• whether the employer satisfies the endorsement criteria; and
• whether the worker satisfies the occupation-specific conditions.

Why WA traffic reaches this page

Someone searching for a Western Australia DAMA occupation list may be looking for:

• the statewide list;
• a regional WA list;
• an occupation available only in one agreement;
• a specific concession;
• the employer-endorsement process; or
• a permanent pathway.

The employer’s address and actual work location should therefore be established before relying on a WA occupation result.

Northern Territory DAMA Occupation List

NT DAMA III applies across the Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory publishes its own current occupation material identifying available occupations and associated settings.

A listing should be checked for:

• occupation title;
• occupation code;
• ANZSCO skill level;
• available visa subclass;
• skills-assessment requirements;
• work-experience settings;
• English concessions;
• salary concessions;
• age settings;
• permanent-residence pathway; and
• occupation-specific conditions.

Territory-wide coverage does not make every employer eligible

The employer must still establish:

• active operations in the Northern Territory;
• a genuine Territory position;
• labour-market need;
• compliant recruitment efforts;
• appropriate salary and conditions;
• capacity to employ the worker;
• endorsement eligibility; and
• the correct employing entity.

The occupation title is only a label

An occupation may appear on the NT list while the employer’s proposed role:

• operates below the required skill level;
• contains materially different duties;
• is mainly routine rather than supervisory;
• is performed outside the Territory;
• does not justify the proposed salary; or
• does not fit the employer’s business structure.

South Australia DAMA Occupation List

South Australia uses separate occupation lists for different migration pathways.

The DAMA occupation list is used in connection with employer endorsement under the relevant South Australian DAMA framework.

It should not be confused with the skilled occupation list used for subclass 190 or subclass 491 state nomination.

The South Australian DAMA result should be read in context

Check:

• which South Australian agreement applies;
• the employer’s location;
• the position’s location;
• the occupation and code;
• the supported visa subclass;
• the concession indicators;
• the definition of each concession;
• the skills-assessment requirement;
• the employer-endorsement criteria; and
• the permanent pathway.

An occupation result is not South Australian state nomination

DAMA is employer-sponsored.

The worker needs an eligible South Australian employer offering a genuine position and willing to complete the endorsement, labour-agreement and nomination process.

Finding the occupation on the South Australian DAMA list does not produce:

• an invitation from South Australia;
• a subclass 190 nomination;
• a subclass 491 nomination;
• personal DAMA endorsement;
• a job offer; or
• permission to apply independently.

Queensland DAMA Occupation Lists

Queensland DAMA access is regional rather than statewide.

A reader should identify:

• the employer’s precise location;
• the regional agreement covering that location;
• the designated area representative;
• the current occupation and concessions list;
• the employer-endorsement requirements; and
• the available temporary and permanent pathways.

Far North Queensland

The Far North Queensland DAMA maintains its own occupation and concessions material.

The published list and information guide should be read together because the occupation entry may rely on:

• a concession group;
• an agreement-specific skills definition;
• an industry restriction;
• a geographic condition;
• a visa-subclass setting; or
• a permanent-pathway condition.

A Queensland location is not enough

The employer must be located within the geographic coverage of the relevant agreement.

An employer in Brisbane or another area outside the designated region cannot access an agreement merely because the occupation appears on the regional list.

Other Regional DAMA Occupation Lists

Other current agreements operate through their own designated area representatives.

The official Home Affairs DAMA page should be used to identify the relevant region and representative.

The representative’s current material should then be checked for:

• agreement coverage;
• occupation lists;
• concession definitions;
• endorsement requirements;
• employer fees;
• labour-market testing;
• skills and experience settings;
• visa subclasses;
• permanent pathways; and
• updates or transitional arrangements.

A copied list on a migration website should not be treated as the definitive current source.

How to Read a DAMA Occupation-List Entry

Occupation lists differ in layout, but a listing may include or refer to the following information.

Occupation title and code

The title may be an ANZSCO occupation or an agreement-specific occupation.

Check whether:

• the code is current;
• the title is nationally recognised;
• the agreement uses a locally defined occupation;
• the occupation has explanatory notes; and
• the employer’s duties genuinely fit it.

Visa subclass

The listing may show access through:

• subclass 482 Labour Agreement stream;
• subclass 494 Labour Agreement stream;
• subclass 186 Labour Agreement stream;
• subclass 191 after an eligible subclass 494 visa; or
• a combination of pathways.

Skills assessment

The listing may identify:

• the relevant assessing authority;
• a designated area representative assessment;
• an agreement-specific assessment;
• an exemption;
• registration as an alternative requirement; or
• additional evidence of skills and experience.

Work experience

Check:

• the minimum period;
• whether the experience must be post-qualification;
• whether part-time work can be counted;
• whether the work must be recent;
• whether a concession applies; and
• what evidence is required.

English

An occupation may have:

• the ordinary visa English requirement;
• a concessional score;
• minimum component scores;
• a different permanent-stage requirement; and
• separate registration or licensing English requirements.

Age

Age concessions are commonly relevant to a later permanent pathway.

Check:

• the applicable age limit;
• the visa stage to which it applies;
• the occupation skill level;
• the expected permanent nomination date; and
• whether the worker will remain within the limit after completing any required employment period.

Salary

A salary indicator may refer to:

• the ordinary migration threshold;
• a concession to that threshold;
• a specified concession formula;
• market salary;
• guaranteed earnings;
• award or industrial conditions; and
• occupation-specific minimum remuneration.

Permanent pathway

The listing should be checked for:

• whether a permanent pathway exists;
• which visa subclass is used;
• the required employment period;
• employer nomination requirements;
• regional work requirements;
• age;
• English;
• salary;
• occupation continuity; and
• any agreement-specific conditions.

Occupation Inclusion and Occupation Fit Are Different Questions

A position can use the same title as a listed occupation and still fail to fit that occupation.

The analysis should consider:

• the actual duties;
• the proportion of time spent on each duty;
• the level of independent judgement;
• supervisory or managerial authority;
• qualifications normally required;
• the worker’s qualifications and experience;
• salary;
• reporting lines;
• the size and nature of the business; and
• how the role operates in practice.

Managerial titles

A worker called a manager may mainly:

• serve customers;
• complete routine administration;
• open and close premises;
• prepare basic rosters;
• order stock; or
• perform the same work as other employees.

That may not establish a managerial occupation at the required level.

Trade occupations

A worker may have substantial industry experience while working mainly as:

• a trade assistant;
• a labourer;
• an installer;
• an operator;
• a helper; or
• a maintenance employee performing only part of the trade.

The evidence must establish the full range and level of duties required by the nominated occupation.

Professional occupations

A professional title may overstate work that is principally:

• coordination;
• drafting;
• administration;
• routine compliance;
• data entry;
• sales support; or
• project assistance.

Concessions Shown Against DAMA Occupations

An occupation-list entry may show one or more concessions.

These may concern:

• age;
• English;
• salary;
• work experience;
• qualifications;
• skills assessment;
• occupation access; or
• the permanent pathway.

A concession code should always be read with the official definition published by the designated area representative.

Do not assume that:

• every occupation receives every concession;
• the concession applies to every visa stage;
• an English concession overrides registration;
• a salary concession permits underpayment;
• an age concession applies immediately;
• a shorter experience requirement makes unrelated experience relevant; or
• a concession continues unchanged at permanent residence.

For detailed concession analysis, see:

DAMA Concessions Australia: Age, English, Salary and Experience

Visa and Permanent-Residence Pathways

An occupation appearing under a DAMA may support one or more employer-sponsored pathways.

Subclass 482 Labour Agreement stream

This is a temporary employer-sponsored pathway.

The agreement and occupation determine the available settings, including:

• skills;
• experience;
• English;
• salary;
• visa duration; and
• possible transition to permanent residence.

Subclass 494 Labour Agreement stream

This is a five-year provisional regional visa.

An eligible subclass 494 holder may later seek permanent residence through subclass 191 after satisfying the applicable requirements.

There is no minimum income requirement for the subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream, although the required ATO notices of assessment must be provided.

Subclass 186 Labour Agreement stream

Some DAMA occupations provide access to subclass 186 permanent residence after the worker completes the required temporary employment and satisfies the permanent-stage requirements.

No permanent pathway

Some listed occupations may provide temporary access without a direct permanent pathway.

The employer and worker should identify this before committing to the initial visa.

Why an Employer Is Still Required

DAMA is employer-sponsored.

The worker cannot apply independently because their occupation appears on a regional list.

The employer generally needs to:

• operate within the designated area;
• offer a genuine position;
• complete labour-market testing;
• meet regional endorsement requirements;
• request labour-agreement access;
• nominate the position and worker;
• pay lawful salary and employment conditions;
• meet sponsorship obligations; and
• support the later permanent nomination where required.

The occupation list is not a list of employers

An occupation appearing on a DAMA list does not mean:

• employers are currently recruiting;
• the designated area representative will find a job for the worker;
• a regional government will sponsor the worker;
• the worker can obtain endorsement personally; or
• the worker has a reserved place under the agreement.

For guidance on searching for an employer, see:

Finding Employer Sponsorship in Australia

Why DAMA Occupation Lists Change

DAMA lists respond to regional labour-market conditions.

An occupation may be:

• added;
• removed;
• renamed;
• moved to another skills group;
• given a new concession;
• lose an existing concession;
• become available through another visa subclass;
• lose a permanent pathway; or
• become subject to new skills or experience requirements.

Changes can also arise from:

• a new head agreement;
• an extension of an existing agreement;
• a formal variation;
• ANZSCO changes;
• a revised skills-assessment arrangement;
• a migration income-threshold change;
• regional workforce data; or
• updated government policy.

Use the list current at the relevant stage

The employer and worker should confirm the current requirements when:

• planning the strategy;
• advertising the position;
• requesting endorsement;
• requesting labour-agreement access;
• lodging the nomination;
• lodging the visa application; and
• preparing any later permanent application.

How to Assess a DAMA Occupation Result

1. Confirm the employer’s region

Identify the legal employer, operating location and actual work location.

2. Identify the applicable DAMA

Use the official Home Affairs and designated area representative material.

3. Define the genuine position

Record the real duties, hours, salary, authority, skill level and reporting structure.

4. Identify the closest occupation

Compare the real position with the available occupations rather than rewriting the job around a preferred listing.

5. Read the complete occupation entry

Check visa subclass, concessions, skills assessment, experience, geographic restrictions and permanent pathway.

6. Assess the worker

Review qualifications, experience, English, age, registration, health, character and documentary evidence.

7. Assess the employer process

Confirm endorsement eligibility, labour-market testing, salary evidence, labour-agreement access and nomination requirements.

8. Test the permanent pathway

Determine whether a permanent pathway exists and whether the worker is likely to satisfy its later requirements.

Common DAMA Occupation-List Mistakes

Using the wrong regional list

The occupation appears under a DAMA, but not one available to the employer.

Assuming there is one Western Australian list

The employer does not distinguish between the statewide WA DAMA and a regional WA agreement.

Confusing South Australian DAMA with state nomination

The worker believes a DAMA occupation result creates eligibility for subclass 190 or subclass 491 nomination.

Using the title instead of the duties

The position is called Manager, Engineer, Supervisor or Coordinator, but the actual work does not support the selected occupation.

Ignoring occupation-specific conditions

The occupation is available, but the worker lacks the required assessment, experience, qualification or registration.

Reading a concession code without its definition

The parties assume the code means a complete age, English or salary exemption.

Assuming every visa pathway is available

The occupation supports subclass 482 but not subclass 494, subclass 186 or the intended permanent pathway.

Assuming permanent residence is guaranteed

The occupation has a temporary pathway, but the worker cannot satisfy the later age, English, employment or nomination requirements.

Using an old list

The occupation or concession appeared under a previous version of the agreement.

Having no employer

The worker spends substantial time analysing occupation lists without an eligible employer prepared to complete the DAMA process.

Simon’s Perspective

Occupation-list enquiries often begin with certainty that the list itself does not justify.

A worker sends me a screenshot and says:

My occupation is on the DAMA list, so I qualify.

The screenshot may establish only that an occupation category appears under one regional agreement.

It does not tell me:

• who the employer is;
• where the employer operates;
• where the worker will perform the role;
• what the actual duties are;
• which legal entity will employ the worker;
• whether the occupation fits the position;
• whether the worker meets the skills requirements;
• whether the concession applies;
• whether the employer can obtain endorsement; or
• whether permanent residence is available.

I also see employers start with the occupation list and build the job backwards.

They choose a title that appears under the DAMA, then draft duties designed to resemble it.

The business may genuinely need another employee. The worker may genuinely have valuable experience. But the nominated occupation still needs to describe the real job.

Ordinary details often expose the mismatch:

• who opens and closes the premises;
• who approves leave;
• who controls budgets;
• who signs contracts;
• who performs technical decisions;
• how many people are supervised;
• what proportion of the day is routine work;
• where the worker is physically located; and
• which company pays the salary.

The regional lists are still extremely useful.

They identify occupation access that may not exist under standard sponsorship and show where a particular concession or permanent pathway may be available.

But the list must be used in the correct order:

1. employer;
2. region;
3. position;
4. occupation;
5. conditions;
6. worker;
7. nomination; and
8. permanent strategy.

That is the difference between finding an occupation name and establishing a viable employer-sponsored pathway.

Related DAMA and Employer Sponsorship Guides

• 
  DAMA Visa Australia: Regional Employer Sponsorship
  
• 
  DAMA Concessions Australia: Age, English, Salary and Experience
  
• 
  DAMA vs 482 Visa Australia
  
• 
  Employer Sponsorship Occupation Strategy
  
• 
  Finding Employer Sponsorship in Australia
  
• 
  482 Visa Australia: Skills in Demand Requirements and Strategy
  
• 
  494 Visa Australia: Regional Employer Sponsorship and PR Pathway
  
• 
  186 Visa Australia: Employer Nomination Scheme Permanent Residence
  

Official DAMA Occupation-List Resources

• 
  Department of Home Affairs — Designated Area Migration Agreements
  
• 
  Department of Home Affairs — Regional DAMA overview
  
• 
  Migration WA — Western Australia DAMA
  
• 
  Move to South Australia — DAMA occupation list
  
• 
  Move to South Australia — Comparison of occupation lists
  
• 
  Northern Territory Government — NT DAMA
  
• 
  Cairns Chamber of Commerce — Far North Queensland DAMA
  

DAMA Occupation List Australia FAQs

Is there one DAMA occupation list for Australia?

No. Each DAMA has its own geographic coverage, occupation list, concessions, employer requirements and visa pathways.

Where can I find the current DAMA occupation lists?

Use the current official material published by Home Affairs and the relevant designated area representative, such as Migration WA, Move to South Australia, the Northern Territory Government or the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.

Does an occupation on a DAMA list mean I qualify?

No. The employer, region, position, occupation, worker, concessions, nomination and visa requirements must all be satisfied.

Can I apply directly because my occupation is listed?

No. DAMA is employer-sponsored. You need an eligible employer offering a genuine position within the relevant designated area.

Is there one Western Australia DAMA occupation list?

Western Australia has a statewide DAMA as well as regional DAMA arrangements. The correct list depends on the employer’s location, the occupation and the agreement the employer can access.

Does the NT DAMA cover the whole Northern Territory?

NT DAMA III applies across the Northern Territory. The employer and position must still satisfy the Territory endorsement and occupation-specific requirements.

Is the South Australian DAMA list the same as its skilled occupation list?

No. South Australia uses separate occupation lists for DAMA employer endorsement and skilled state nomination.

Can the same occupation appear under several DAMAs?

Yes. However, the concessions, visa subclasses, skills requirements, geographic coverage and permanent pathways may differ.

Do listed occupations automatically receive concessions?

No. Each concession must be shown against or otherwise available for the occupation under the relevant agreement.

Can a job title prove the occupation?

No. The actual duties, responsibility level, qualifications, salary and business context determine whether the position fits the occupation.

Can a DAMA occupation lead to subclass 482?

Potentially. The occupation and agreement must support nomination through the subclass 482 Labour Agreement stream.

Can a DAMA occupation lead to subclass 494?

Potentially. Some agreements provide access through the subclass 494 Labour Agreement stream for eligible regional positions.

Does every DAMA occupation lead to permanent residence?

No. Some provide a subclass 186 or subclass 191 pathway, while others may provide temporary access only.

Does subclass 191 have a minimum income requirement?

No. There is no minimum income requirement for the subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream, although the required ATO notices of assessment must be provided.

Can an occupation be removed from a DAMA list?

Yes. Lists and concessions can change following agreement variations, regional labour-market changes or government policy changes.

Should I rely on a copied occupation list found online?

No. Use the current official occupation list and concession material published by the designated area representative.

What should an employer check before advertising?

The employer should identify the genuine position, occupation, work location, applicable DAMA, salary, skills requirements and endorsement criteria before completing labour-market testing.

What is the most important occupation-list question?

The central question is whether the employer’s genuine position fits an available occupation under the agreement that covers the employer and work location.