The Northern Territory (NT) is a vast and dynamic region of Australia, known for its stunning landscapes, rich Indigenous heritage, and diverse economic sectors, including mining, tourism, and agriculture. Despite its growth and opportunities, the NT faces significant labor shortages due to its remote location and specialized industry needs. To address these challenges, the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) was created. It is a targeted migration initiative designed to address specific labor shortages in the Northern Territory (NT) by allowing local businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers. This agreement benefits both NT employers and international job seekers by offering solutions to workforce gaps and potential pathways to Australian permanent residency.
Benefits
For Employers:Â NT businesses can quickly address labor shortages and fill roles that are challenging to staff locally. This agility helps maintain business operations and growth.
For Workers: Qualified international workers gain access to job opportunities in Australia and, in many cases, a pathway to permanent residency through various visa options.
Northern DAMA
Eligible Occupation List has been expanded to include 135 occupations.
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has been lowered to AUD 55,000Â for certain occupations.
Overseas workers can now have a more streamlined pathway to permanent residency through the 186 visa if they work in eligible NT occupations for at least 2 years.
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NT DAMA Visas and Pathways
Employers can sponsor overseas workers through several skilled migration visas under the NT DAMA program:
Subclass 482 – Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa: Allows skilled workers to stay for up to 4 years.
Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa: Permits a stay of up to 5 years, with a potential pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa after 3 years.
Subclass 186 – Permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa: Provides a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who meet the criteria.
Available Concessions
NT DAMA offers several concessions that differentiate it from standard skilled migration programs:
Age Concessions: Employers can nominate applicants up to 55 years old, compared to the standard age limit of 45 for other visas.
Additional Occupations:Â NT DAMA permits the nomination of workers in critical roles not listed in the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation (ANZSCO), such as:
Waiter (supervisor)
Aquaculture supervisor
Cook (specialist ethnic cuisine)
Skilled horticultural worker
Bar attendant (supervisor)
High access maintenance and cleaning technician
English Language Concessions:Â Workers may be sponsored even if their English proficiency is below the usual requirements for general skilled migration visas.
TSMIT Concessions:Â For eligible occupations, the reduced TSMIT of AUD 55,000 applies instead of the standard AUD 70,000. Some positions may also require a positive skills assessment.
English Language Concessions
This concession may permit skilled workers with lower English proficiency than normally required for general skilled migration visas. However, it applies only to certain occupations listed in the NT DAMA Occupation List.
 Details of this concession are as follows:
Category | TSS/SESR | ENS |
Occupations other than engineers | Overall score of IELTS 4.5 (or equivalent) Minimum IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) in each band | Overall score of IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) Minimum IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) in each band |
Aircraft maintenance engineer (avionics and mechanical) and Ship’s engineer | Overall score of IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) No minimum score for reading and writing At least an IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) in speaking and listening bands | Overall score of IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) At least an IELTS score of 4.5 (or equivalent) in each band |
 Here are the categories of occupations typically found in the NT DAMA:
Management and Administration
Healthcare and Social Assistance
Trades and Technicians
Construction and Engineering
Hospitality and Food Services
Agriculture and Horticulture
Transport and Logistics
Manufacturing and Production
Information Technology
Education and Training
High Access Maintenance and Cleaning
Other Occupations
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Employer Requirements
To qualify for NT DAMA, employers must:
Operate a viable business in the Northern Territory for at least 12 months.
Demonstrate a good track record of meeting employee obligations.
Offer full-time positions aligned with those listed in the NT DAMA Occupation List.
Prove efforts to recruit Australian citizens or permanent residents before considering overseas workers.
Provide work terms and conditions comparable to those offered to local workers.
Secure endorsement from the Northern Territory migration authority and enter into a five (5)-year labor agreement with the Department of Home Affairs, specifying the number of workers and any applicable concessions.
Application Process
Submit an online application for endorsement to the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Trade.
Lodge a labor agreement.
Identify a skilled overseas worker with the necessary skills and experience for the NT DAMA occupation.
Submit a nomination application for the worker.
Assist the worker in applying for their visa.
Consider consulting a registered migration agent for specific guidance.
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Worker Eligibility
Overseas workers must meet specific criteria related to their occupation and visa category. The NT DAMA Occupation List provides detailed eligibility requirements for each role, including any required skills, experience, and qualifications.
By participating in the NT DAMA program, both employers and overseas workers can benefit from a streamlined process to address labor shortages and enhance career opportunities in Australia. For up-to-date information and detailed guidance, consult the NT DAMA resources or seek professional advice.
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State recent update as of August 2024
Offshore skilled migration nominations for the Northern Territory reopened on Wednesday, August 15, 2024, but only for the NT Family Stream and Job Offer Stream. The Priority Occupations Stream remains suspended due to a high volume of applications. Existing offshore applications under the Priority Occupations Stream will still be assessed, but significant delays are expected. Migration NT is still accepting and reviewing onshore nomination applications.
Please note that immigration regulations may change over time. To ensure you meet the current eligibility criteria and receive personalized guidance, we recommend consulting with Australian Portal Immigration. You can book your appointment here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Employers
Q1. Who can sponsor prospective workers under the NT DAMA?- NT DAMA is open to businesses with well-established operations in the Northern Territory that have been active for at least 12 months. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate their ability to meet NT DAMA requirements, including a proven history of fulfilling employee obligations and efforts to recruit local talent.
Q2. Can businesses sponsor prospective workers currently residing overseas under the NT DAMA?
-Yes, NT employers can sponsor skilled workers regardless of their current location. This includes individuals residing overseas, allowing businesses to tap into a global talent pool to fill critical positions.
Q3. Does labour market testing apply under the NT DAMA?- Yes, labour market testing is required under the NT DAMA. Employers must show that they have made genuine efforts to recruit Australian citizens or permanent residents before turning to overseas workers. This ensures that the program addresses real skill shortages.
Q4. Does the Skilling Australian Fund levy apply under the NT DAMA?- Yes, the Skilling Australian Fund (SAF) levy applies to businesses sponsoring workers under the NT DAMA. This levy contributes to training and developing Australian workers. For details on the SAF levy and its requirements.
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Prospective Workers
Q1. Can prospective workers apply for a visa under the NT DAMA independently?- No, prospective workers cannot apply for a visa independently under the NT DAMA. The program is employer-sponsored, meaning businesses must first obtain endorsement from the NT Government and sign a labour agreement with the Australian Government. Once endorsed, businesses can submit nomination applications for skilled workers. Workers must be nominated by an approved NT employer to apply for a visa.
Q2. Will the NT Government recommend businesses that may want to sponsor prospective workers under the NT DAMA?- No, the NT Government does not provide recommendations or referrals to prospective workers regarding businesses endorsed under the NT DAMA. Workers interested in job opportunities in the Northern Territory should independently search for positions and apply directly to businesses.
Q3. Will prospective workers be guaranteed permanent residency under the NT DAMA?- No, there is no guarantee of permanent residency for workers under the NT DAMA. Workers must meet specific eligibility requirements for permanent residency, including potentially obtaining a subclass 186 (labour agreement stream) visa, which requires meeting the criteria set by the Australian Government and the employer.
Q4. What visa will be granted to a nominee worker under the NT DAMA?- A worker who is successfully sponsored under the NT DAMA will be granted either a subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) or subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visa, depending on their specific situation and the visa stream used.
Q5. Who will grant the visa under the NT DAMA?- Visa decisions for the NT DAMA program are made by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. They are responsible for processing and granting all visas under this agreement.
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