DAMA for Townsville

The Townsville North Queensland (TNQ) DAMA program offers more flexibility for both employers and workers compared to the standard skilled migration program at the federal level. The key benefits of the TNQ DAMA include:

1. Employers are able to have their own labour agreement, valid for a maximum of five (5) years:
   • Employers have the option to receive approval in advance for specific occupations and positions in a wide variety of skilled and semi-skilled occupations.
2. Offering permanent visa pathways for 183 out of the 195 occupations in the TNQ DAMA Occupation list.
3. Concessions on the Age and English language proficiency.
4. Multiple visa options available: Subclass 482 TSS; 186 ENS; 494 SESR leading to 191 PESR.
5. A five-year TNQ DAMA labor agreement can be modified as needed, allowing for the addition of new occupations, positions, or further concessions at any time.
6. Employers do not need to have identified the prospective skilled migrant to access a DAMA labour agreement:
   • • The employer can nominate (‘sponsor’) overseas workers already in their employ; or
     • Attract suitably skilled and experienced overseas workers by having occupations and positions pre-approved, along with the associated concessions.

DAMA Concessions

Age Concession

In the TNQ DAMA occupation list, age concessions apply to extend the age limit to 55 for most occupations. In the case of the 12 occupations listed below, the age concession is reduced 50.

English Language Concession

The English language concessions usually do not apply, except the 31 occupations as written below:

482 TSS and 494 SESR Applicants:

• An IELTS score of 5.0 overall (or its equivalent) is required, with no minimum score in each band, unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English.

186 ENS Applicants:

• An IELTS score of 5.0 overall (or its equivalent) is required, with no component allowed to fall below IELTS 4.0 or its equivalent, except in cases where registration or licensing requires a higher level of English proficiency.

Other accepted English language tests are:

• Occupational English Test (OET);
• Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT);
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic test; or
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test.

TSMIT Concession

The TSMIT Concession does not apply in the TNQ DAMA. In other words, all applicants must be paid above the TSMIT.

Pathway to Permanent Residency Visa

Occupations listed in the TNQ DAMA Occupation List may offer access to a specific permanent visa pathway through the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) or Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.

* Please note that for Skill Level 5 occupations, the possibility of accessing a permanent residence pathway through the TSS to ENS visa is subject to meeting the additional requirements as outlined in the head agreement.

The TNQ DAMA does not currently offer a path to permanent residency for the 12 occupations listed below.

• Aquaculture Worker
• Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker
• Chemical Plant Worker
• Commercial Cleaner
• Commercial Housekeeper
• Concreter
• Driller’s Assistant
• Fruit Picker
• Fruit Farm Worker
• Kitchenhand
• Nut Farm Worker
• Sugar Mill Worker