Designated Area Migration Agreement
Orana DAMA
Orana DAMA covers the Orana, Central West, Southern Inland, Murray and Riverina RDA regions of NSW, with 129 occupations and concessions.
Endorsing Authority
Regional Development Australia Orana
English Concession
IELTS 5.0 overall (no minimum component) for 482 and 494; IELTS 5.0 with no band below 4.0 for 186, on listed occupations
Age Concession
Up to 55 for skill level 1 to 4 occupations; up to 50 for skill level 5
Salary Concession
Type 1: at least 90% of TSMIT/CSIT; Type 2: 90% monetary plus non-monetary earnings up to 10%, total at least TSMIT/CSIT ($79,423)
Key industries in the Orana
Industries Covered
Agriculture, health and aged care, hospitality, construction, transport, mining, manufacturing, regional services
Occupation Note
129 occupations. The designated area spans the Orana, Central West, Southern Inland, Murray and Riverina RDA regions of New South Wales, with each regional RDA handling local enquiries.
The endorsement process
RDA Orana starts with an eligibility interview, then a formal request costing $990 plus GST per position for the first five positions and $550 plus GST thereafter, with feedback within 10 business days. Endorsement lasts 12 months, after which the Department of Home Affairs takes one to three months on the labour agreement request.
How the Orana DAMA works
The Orana DAMA is an agreement between Regional Development Australia Orana and the Australian Government that now allows employers across the Orana, Central West, Southern Inland, Murray and Riverina RDA regions to sponsor workers in 129 occupations, each with a defined permanent residence pathway. Where an occupation is also available under an Industry Labour Agreement, it can only be endorsed for an employer in a different industry.
Concessions vary by occupation and must be requested in the endorsement application. The age limit rises to 55 for skill level 1 to 4 occupations and 50 for skill level 5. Where an English concession applies, a subclass 482 or 494 applicant needs an overall IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) with no minimum component, and a subclass 186 applicant an overall 5.0 with no band below 4.0. Two salary concessions exist against the $79,423 TSMIT/CSIT: Type 1 requires monetary earnings of at least 90% of the threshold, and Type 2 allows 90% in money plus food and board worth no more than 10%, with the total at least equal to the threshold and never below award or market rates.
The endorsement process begins with an interview confirming eligibility, the occupation, labour market testing and the concessions sought. The fee is $990 plus GST per position for the first five positions and $550 plus GST for each further position, with variations at $800 plus GST per position. Initial feedback comes within 10 business days, endorsement is valid for 12 months, and once the labour agreement is approved the business has 12 months to nominate. Permanent residence follows two years on a subclass 482 visa under the DAMA (subclass 186) or three years on a subclass 494 visa (subclass 191).
Murray region (NSW)
There is no stand-alone Murray DAMA. Employers in the Murray region access the Orana DAMA, which RDA Murray manages locally as the first point of contact for eligibility enquiries and endorsement applications from that region. The occupation list, concessions and fees are those of the Orana DAMA set out above.
Visa Plan Lawyers and the Orana DAMA
Visa Plan Lawyers runs the RDA Orana eligibility interview, the labour market testing review and the concession justifications, and then lodges the labour agreement request and nominations with the Department of Home Affairs.
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.