Victoria Great South Coast DAMA

In this video we will talk about the Great South Coast DAMA in Victoria and explain how this visa pathway can help you live, work and potentially achieve permanent residency in Australia — even if you don’t meet standard visa requirements.

The Great South Coast DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) could provide a unique opportunity to live, work and obtain permanent residency (PR) in regional Australia, even if you don’t meet the standard visa requirements.

In this page, we explain how the program works, who it is for, and why it may significantly improve your migration strategy.

What is the Great South Coast DAMA?

A DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a designated regional area experiencing skill shortages.

The Great South Coast DAMA covers the following local government areas in Victoria:

• Colac Otway Shire Council
• Corangamite Shire Council
• Glenelg Shire Council
• Moyne Shire Council
• Southern Grampians Shire Council
• Warrnambool City Council

These regions rely on overseas workers to fill critical roles across various industries.

Great South Coast DAMA Occupation List

The Great South Coast region offers opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including Agriculture and farming, Healthcare and aged care, Trades and technical roles and Hospitality and tourism.

Some example occupations include:

• Guest House Manager
• Oyster Farmer
• Manicurist
• Nurses
• Commercial Cleaner
• Waiter

You can check the full Great South Coast DAMA Occupation List here.

What Visas Are Available Under the DAMA?

The DAMA allows access to several employer-sponsored visa pathways, including:

• Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa) – up to 4 years
• Subclass 494 (Regional Visa) – with a clear pathway to PR (191 visa after three years holding a 494 visa)
• Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) – direct permanent residency for some roles

Great South Coast DAMA Concessions

The key advantage of the DAMA is that it offers concessions to standard visa requirements, making it easier for applicants who may not meet usual criteria.

Key Concessions Include:

Age Limit

• Up to 55 years old for Skill Levels 1–4 occupations
• Up to 50 years old for Skill Level 5 occupations

English Requirement

• An IELTS average of 5.0 may be sufficient for many roles

Salary Flexibility

• Up to a 10% reduction from the standard minimum salary requirement for eligible occupations (currently $76,515), provided market rates are met

These concessions can make a significant difference, especially for applicants with strong experience but who fall short on standard criteria.

Does the Great South Coast DAMA Permanent Residency Pathways

Yes, the Great South Coast DAMA does offer some permanent residency pathways.

The DAMA Subclass 494 visa offers a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa after meeting certain work and residency requirements.

Further, applicants who hold a DAMA 482 visa may be eligible for PR through the Subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition pathway, and in some cases, they may be eligible for direct PR through the Subclass 186 visa.

How the DAMA Process Works

The process under the Great South Coast DAMA typically involves the following steps:

1. Secure a job with an employer in one of the six participating councils
2. The employer obtains DAMA endorsement (if not already approved)
3. The employer enters into a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government
4. You are nominated for the role
5. You apply for the visa

While this process can be complex, it is manageable with the right guidance.

Get Professional Advice to Apply For a DAMA

The DAMA is a powerful pathway—but it is not straightforward.

Each case requires careful planning, including:

• Identifying eligible occupations
• Securing the right employer
• Navigating Labour Agreements and nominations
• Ensuring compliance with visa requirements

At Work Visa Lawyers, we assist both employers and skilled workers to successfully navigate the DAMA process.

Sources:

https://gscdama.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/labour-agreements/types-of-labour-agreements/designated-area-migration-agreements-(dama)