Designated Area Migration Agreement
Northern Territory DAMA
Northern Territory DAMA: more than 320 occupations, with English, age and salary concessions for NT employers sponsoring overseas workers.
Endorsing Authority
MigrationNT, Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations
English Concession
IELTS 4.5 overall (4.0 each band) for 482 and 494; IELTS 5.0 overall for 186, where the occupation carries the concession
Age Concession
Under 55 for skill level 1 to 4 occupations; under 50 for skill level 5 (494 and 186)
Salary Concession
At least 85% of CSIT/TSMIT ($67,510 from 1 July 2026) or the market rate, whichever is higher
Key industries in the Northern Territory
Industries Covered
Construction, health and community services, hospitality and tourism, agriculture, transport, retail, trades
Occupation Note
More than 320 occupations, including non-ANZSCO occupations coded 070499. NT DAMA III was executed on 19 March 2025 and covers the whole Territory.
The endorsement process
MigrationNT assesses the endorsement application first, looking at 12 months of active NT operation, an accountant's letter on viability, a business case for each position and labour market testing evidence. Endorsement is followed by a five year labour agreement request through ImmiAccount, then nominations against the approved ceiling.
How the Northern Territory DAMA works
The Northern Territory DAMA is the third version of the Territory’s agreement (NT DAMA III), executed on 19 March 2025 and applying to the whole of the NT. Employers are endorsed by MigrationNT within the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations and then enter a five year labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs covering the subclass 482, 494 and 186 visas. The occupation list runs to more than 320 occupations, is reviewed annually against the NT Skilled Occupations Priority List, and includes occupations outside ANZSCO under code 070499.
The concessions are occupation specific. Where an English concession applies, a 482 or 494 applicant needs IELTS 4.5 overall with 4.0 in each band, and a 186 applicant IELTS 5.0 overall with 4.0 in each band. The age limit for the 494 and 186 visas rises to under 55 for skill level 1 to 4 occupations and under 50 for skill level 5. A salary concession is available for every occupation where the NT market rate sits below the threshold: the worker must be paid at least 85% of CSIT/TSMIT, which is $67,510 from 1 July 2026 against a threshold of $79,423, or the market salary rate if higher, with non-monetary benefits counting up to 10% of the concessional figure.
To be endorsed, a business must have been actively operating in the NT for at least 12 months, disclose any adverse information from the last five years, show market rate terms and conditions, and lodge labour market testing evidence for each position through the online portal. The permanent residence pathway opens after two years of full time work in the NT in the nominated occupation for a subclass 186 nomination, or after three years on a subclass 494 visa for the subclass 191 visa, which does not require employer sponsorship.
Visa Plan Lawyers and the Northern Territory DAMA
Visa Plan Lawyers prepares the NT DAMA business case and salary evidence for MigrationNT, then carries the labour agreement, nomination and visa stages through the Department of Home Affairs, including the subclass 186 nomination once the two year NT work requirement is met.
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.