In its current form this visa addresses Labour Shortages whilst also offering the nominee a potential pathway to Permanent Residency.

And although some minor changes were made to this stream last year, such as;

• Raising the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from $53,900 to $70,000 and
• Introducing a pathway to Permanent Residence for most temporary Skilled Visa holders and
• Removing COVID-19 concessions and
• Streamlining Labor Market Testing (LMT).

There are new changes proposed for this visa stream which are likely to be;

A new Skills in Demand Visa category with a significant bearing in providing a clear pathway to Permanent Residence so that migrants with skills in demand are offered a direct route to long-term residency.

This visa will have three targeted pathways:

1. The Specialist Skills Pathway: which will target individuals with Highly Specialised Skills that will aid Australia’s economic growth and technological advancement, and who are likely to earn at least $135,000 per annum.
2. The Core Skills Pathway: which will target Skills and Occupations in high demand that are essential to the Australian economy. Candidates in this category are likely to earn at least $70,000 per annum.
3. Essential Skills Pathway: This pathway is designed for Essential Skilled Occupations in lower-paid sectors. Candidates in this category are likely to earn less than $70,000 per annum and as this figure is below the TSMIT, eligibility in this category is likely to be restricted to ‘Labour Agreement’ visas and ‘DAMA’ visas.

As the TSS subclass 482 Visa is an important part of the Governments overall strategy to address Skilled Worker Shortages, so the proposed changes and reforms are being introduced are designed to better regulate migration and to provide certainty for Skilled Workers, whilst providing a clear pathway to Permanent Residency.

Employer Sponsorship is possible via various pathways using ‘Skilled Visas’ – ‘Labour Agreements’ and ‘DAMA Visas’ and our expertise will guide you effectively to the most beneficial category and also note that each pathway can lead to Permanent Residency.

Applicants – To start your journey Down-Under please complete the ‘NO OBLIGATION ASSESSMENT’ form HERE and we will assess your migration eligibility for FREE.

Employers – Please peruse relevant information HERE and then complete the ‘NO OBLIGATION ASSESSMENT’ form on this page and we will assess your migration eligibility for FREE.

The Government of Australia intends to increase Skilled Migration to help meet labour shortages in Regional Australia and they will designate visa processing to regional Australia as the highest processing priority.

The DAMA is an Employer-Sponsored Labour Agreement visa program that individual workers cannot apply for independently as the employer must apply to the relevant ‘Designated Area Representative (DAR) to access the DAMA.

These are work agreements that enable approved employers to sponsor Skilled and Semi-Skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers and in response to identified market shortages.

They are negotiated between the Department of Immigration and Employers or Industrial Associations. Other types of labour agreements also include: Company-Specific labour agreements, Project labour agreements, Global Talent Scheme (GST) agreements and Industry labour agreements.

They provide access to additional occupations and concessions to standard migration programs under the:
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494)
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

The DAMA head agreement is negotiated between the Australian Government and a Designated Area Representative (DAR) (usually state or territory governments or regional bodies such as Chambers of Commerce, Regional Development Australia offices, or Shire Councils).

Once a DAMA is in place, local businesses can apply for endorsement and enter into individual labour agreements under the conditions of the relevant DAMA.

There are currently twelve active DAMA’s across Australia in;

• The Orana region DAMA (New South Wales) with 131 occupations available and skills and work experience, salary, English and permanent pathway concessions.

• The Northern Territory DAMA with 135 occupations available and English and salary concessions for some occupations.

• The Far North Queensland DAMA with 175 occupations available and English, skills, experience, salary and permanent residency (PR) pathway concessions.

• The Townsville Queensland DAMA with 195 occupations included in the list.

• The Adelaide City of Technology and Innovation Advancement DAMA (South Australia) with 56 occupations available and English, age, salary and permanent residency pathway concessions.

• The South Australian Regional Workforce DAMA with 320 occupations available and English, age, salary and permanent residency pathway concessions.

• The Goulburn Valley DAMA (Victoria) with 56 occupations available and Qualifications & Experience, TSMIT, English, PR Pathway and Age concessions.

• The Great South Coast DAMA (Victoria) with 114 occupations available and English, skills, experience, salary and permanent pathway concessions for some occupations.

• The East Kimberley Dama (Western Australia) with over 187 occupations available.

• The Goldfields DAMA (Western Australia) with 145 occupations available and English, salary and permanent pathway concessions.

• The Pilbara DAMA (Western Australia) covers 135 occupations.

• The South West Dardanup DAMA (Western Australia) with 56 occupations available and TSMIT, English, PR Pathway and Age concessions.