Designated Area Migration Agreement
Great South Coast DAMA
Great South Coast DAMA covers south-west Victoria: sponsor overseas workers in agriculture, dairy, regional services and hospitality occupations.
Endorsing Authority
Warrnambool City Council
English Concession
IELTS 5.0 overall (no minimum component) for 482 and 494; average 5.0 with no band below 4.0 for 186, on listed occupations
Age Concession
55 for skill level 1 to 4 occupations; 50 for skill level 5 (494 and 186)
Salary Concession
Reduced TSMIT of 90% for listed occupations with a strong business case; board valued at no more than the regional homestay rate
Key industries in the Great South Coast
Industries Covered
Agriculture and dairy, health and aged care, hospitality, manufacturing, construction, professional services
Occupation Note
More than 120 Approved Occupations across the Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac Otway and Warrnambool council areas; agreement signed March 2019 and being renewed for a further five years.
The endorsement process
Warrnambool City Council encourages a preliminary check with the employer's local council before a Request for Endorsement, then charges a per worker nomination fee of $850 (ex GST) for businesses under $10 million turnover and $1,000 above it from 1 July 2026. Businesses can be endorsed for several years of positions, with later changes made by deed of variation.
How the Great South Coast DAMA works
The Great South Coast DAMA was signed with the Commonwealth in March 2019 and covers the Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac Otway and Warrnambool local government areas in south west Victoria, with Warrnambool City Council as the Designated Area Representative. The Council reports that the agreement has supported labour agreements for 75 businesses and more than 120 occupations and is being renewed for another five years.
Concessions apply only to the occupations marked in the Table of Approved Occupations. The age limit for the subclass 494 and 186 visas is 55 for skill level 1 to 4 occupations and 50 for skill level 5. The English concession is an overall IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component for the subclass 482 and 494 visas, and an average 5.0 with no band below 4.0 for the subclass 186. A TSMIT concession to 90% of the threshold requires a strong business case, annual earnings no lower than the annual market salary rate, and board valued at no more than the regional Victoria homestay fee.
The eligibility checklist asks whether the business has been lawfully operating for more than 12 months, meets the good corporate citizen requirements and has completed labour market testing. From 26 March 2026 an occupation covered by an Industry Labour Agreement can only be endorsed for an employer in a different industry, and from 1 July 2026 the Council’s nomination fee is $850 (ex GST) per worker for businesses with turnover under $10 million and $1,000 above that. Businesses may be endorsed across multiple years, with variations to the labour agreement requested through the Council.
Visa Plan Lawyers and the Great South Coast DAMA
Visa Plan Lawyers works through the Great South Coast eligibility checklist with the employer, frames the TSMIT concession business case, and then handles the labour agreement request, nominations and visa applications.
Reviewed by Visa Plan Lawyers · Last updated: April 2026 · DAMA information sourced from the Department of Home Affairs. DAMA terms, occupation lists, and concessions are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Visa Plan for advice specific to your circumstances.