Our Skilled Workers guide is packed with useful information you will need to know when emigrating to Australia.
User Reviews: 7,486
A Designated Area Migration Agreement lets a region sponsor workers its employers cannot find locally, on terms the standard visa rules would refuse. Occupations that appear on no national list become available, English and salary requirements can be adjusted, and many agreements carry a pathway to permanent residence. In return you commit to living and working in that region.
In short
Tell us your occupation and we will tell you which agreements list it and what each one asks of you. The right region is often not the one you first considered.
The entire state of South Australia, including its capital Adelaide, is covered under the DAMA framework for certain professions. This broad inclusion makes South Australia an attractive destination for skilled migrants.
Why South Australia?
Diverse Economy: South Australia has a diverse economy with strong sectors in manufacturing, defense, agriculture, and wine production. This variety provides numerous opportunities for skilled migrants.
High Quality of Life: The state offers a high standard of living with affordable housing, excellent healthcare, and top-quality education.
Cultural Richness: Adelaide, known as the “Festival City,” is famous for its cultural events, festivals, and vibrant arts scene.
Natural Beauty: From the stunning beaches to the picturesque wine regions of Barossa Valley, South Australia offers an enviable lifestyle.
Western Australia (WA) has several DAMA regions, including:
City of Bunbury
City of Busselton
Shire of Augusta Margaret River
Shire of Boyup Brook
Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
Shire of Capel
Shire of Collie
Shire of Dardanup
Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
Shire of Harvey
Shire of Manjimup
Shire of Nannup
East Kimberley
City of Kalgoorlie
City of Karratha and Town of Port Hedland
Why Western Australia?
Resource-Rich Regions: Many of these areas, such as Kalgoorlie and Karratha, are hubs for mining and resource extraction, offering numerous opportunities for skilled workers in these industries.
Beautiful Landscapes: WA boasts some of the most stunning landscapes in Australia, from the pristine beaches of Busselton to the rugged outback of Kalgoorlie.
Growing Communities: These regions are experiencing growth and development, leading to increased demand for a variety of professions, from healthcare to engineering.
Victoria’s DAMA regions include:
Goulburn Valley
Warrnambool
Why Victoria?
Agricultural Hub: Goulburn Valley is renowned for its agricultural production, particularly fruit growing, providing opportunities for those in the agricultural sciences and related fields.
Economic Growth: Warrnambool is a key economic center in southwestern Victoria with industries ranging from dairy production to tourism.
Liveability: Both areas offer a high quality of life with excellent amenities, schools, and healthcare services, combined with a lower cost of living compared to Melbourne.
Queensland’s DAMA region includes:
Far North Queensland (Cairns)
Why Far North Queensland?
Tourism Hotspot: Cairns is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and a major tourism center, offering numerous opportunities in hospitality, tourism, and related sectors.
Tropical Lifestyle: The region boasts a tropical climate, making it a desirable place to live for those who enjoy outdoor activities and natural beauty.
Community and Culture: Far North Queensland has a diverse community with a strong indigenous culture and a welcoming atmosphere for new migrants.
The growing popularity of DAMA regions can be attributed to their targeted approach in addressing local labour shortages and offering a supportive environment for new migrants. More and more people are benefiting from the opportunities these regions provide, leading to economic growth and enhanced community development.
Comparing life in Australia to the United Kingdom.
Alice Springs gathers more than twice the sunshine of Aberdeen and counts a fraction of the wet days. Both columns come from the long term station averages published by each country’s national weather service.
| Measure | Alice Springs | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine per day | 9.6 hours | 4.0 hours |
| Days of rain a year | 29.3 | 142.7 |
| Annual rainfall | 284 mm | 833 mm |
Sources: Bureau of Meteorology; Met Office Australian source
Daytime temperatures in Alice Springs sit well above those in Aberdeen all year round. Each figure is a long term average taken from the official weather station records on both sides.
| Measure | Alice Springs | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Mid winter daytime high | 19.9 °C | 6.8 °C |
| Mid summer daytime high | 36.6 °C | 18.5 °C |
| Year round daytime high | 28.9 °C | 12.2 °C |
Sources: Bureau of Meteorology; Met Office Australian source
Australia protects nearly a quarter of its landmass, ranks higher for peace, and more of its people help each other out. The protected area shares and the volunteering figures come from the statistics body on each side, and the peace ranking scores every country on one method.
| Measure | Australia | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Share of the country in protected areas | 23% | 10.6% |
| Global Peace Index rank | Eighteenth | Thirtieth |
| People who volunteer informally | 30% | 24% in England |
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics; Joint Nature Conservation Committee; Institute for Economics and Peace; Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Australian source
