DAMA vs 482 Skills in Demand Visa: Which Suits You?
If an Australian employer wants to sponsor you, there are two routes most people compare: the standard Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa and a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). Both are employer sponsored, but they suit very different people. A DAMA can open the door to older applicants, lower English scores and occupations that are not on the national lists, in exchange for living and working in a specific region. This guide sets out the differences using the thresholds that apply from 1 July 2026.
Key facts
- The Skills in Demand visa replaced the TSS visa on 7 December 2024 and has three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement.
- From 1 July 2026 the Core Skills Income Threshold is A$79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is A$146,576.
- A DAMA is not a separate visa. It is a labour agreement for a region, used through the 482 Labour Agreement stream, the 494 and the 186.
- There are 13 DAMAs covering parts of every mainland state and the Northern Territory.
- DAMAs can offer concessions on age (up to 55 in some regions), English and salary.
The quick comparison
| Skills in Demand 482 (Core or Specialist) | DAMA (482 Labour Agreement, 494 or 186) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Skilled workers in a CSOL occupation, or high earners, with any approved sponsor anywhere in Australia | Workers taking a job in a designated region, including semi-skilled roles, older applicants and those with lower English scores |
| Location | Anywhere in Australia | Only within the DAMA region |
| Occupations | Core Skills: the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Specialist Skills: most occupations except trades, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers | The DAMA’s own occupation list, which can include roles not on the CSOL |
| Minimum salary | At least A$79,423 (Core) or A$146,576 (Specialist), and the market rate | Can be lower: for example 85% of the threshold in the Northern Territory and 90% in South Australia, and never below the market rate |
| Age | No age limit for the 482. The 186 for permanent residence generally requires you to be under 45, unless exempt | Up to 55 for permanent residence in some DAMAs (for example the Northern Territory and South Australia) |
| English | Core Skills: an overall IELTS score of 5.0 or equivalent | Concessions in some DAMAs, for example IELTS 4.5 overall in the Northern Territory for the 482 or 494 |
| Work experience | At least 12 months in the occupation | Set by the DAMA, sometimes reduced |
| Pathway to permanent residence | 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream after 2 years with your sponsor | 186 Labour Agreement stream (for example after 2 years in South Australia) or the 494 then the 191, depending on the DAMA |
| Extra steps | Sponsorship, nomination, visa | Endorsement from the regional body, then a labour agreement for the employer, then nomination and visa |
How the Skills in Demand 482 visa works
The Skills in Demand visa lets an approved Australian employer sponsor you for up to four years. It has three streams:
- Specialist Skills: for highly paid roles earning at least A$146,576 from 1 July 2026. It is not tied to an occupation list, but trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers are excluded.
- Core Skills: for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, with a salary of at least A$79,423 from 1 July 2026.
- Labour Agreement: for employers with a labour agreement, which includes DAMAs.
Since July 2024 you can stay in Australia for up to 180 days at a time, and 365 days in total, while you look for a new sponsor if you leave your job. After two years with your sponsor you may be able to apply for permanent residence through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream, which generally requires you to be under 45 unless an exemption applies. The base application charge for a main 482 applicant is A$4,015 from 1 July 2026.
How a DAMA works
A DAMA is an agreement between the Australian Government and a regional body, known as the Designated Area Representative. It lets employers in that region sponsor overseas workers on terms that are more flexible than the standard programme. The process has three stages:
- The employer applies to the regional body for endorsement, showing it cannot fill the role locally.
- The employer enters into a labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
- The employer lodges the nomination and you lodge the visa, usually a 482 Labour Agreement stream, a 494, or later a 186.
Current DAMA regions
| State or territory | DAMA |
|---|---|
| Northern Territory | Northern Territory DAMA |
| Queensland | Far North Queensland; Townsville |
| Western Australia | East Kimberley; Pilbara; South West; The Goldfields; Western Australia statewide |
| South Australia | Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement; South Australian Regional |
| Victoria | Goulburn Valley; Great South Coast |
| New South Wales | Orana |
Each DAMA has its own end date and terms. Several have been extended recently, so check the regional body’s website or ask us before relying on a particular agreement.
Examples of DAMA concessions
| Concession | Northern Territory DAMA | South Australian DAMAs |
|---|---|---|
| Age for permanent residence | Under 55 (skill levels 1 to 4), under 50 (skill level 5) | Under 55 at nomination for the 186 or 494 |
| English | IELTS 4.5 overall (4.0 per band) for the 482 or 494; 5.0 overall for the 186 | IELTS 5.0 overall (4.0 per band), or 4.5 for some semi-skilled roles in outer regional areas |
| Salary | 85% of the threshold (A$67,510 from 1 July 2026) or the market rate if higher | 90% of the threshold, or the market rate if higher |
Which suits you?
A standard 482 is usually better if your occupation is on the CSOL or you earn above A$146,576, you are under 45 and plan to move to the 186, you meet the English requirement, and you want the freedom to live and change employers anywhere in Australia.
A DAMA is usually better if you are 45 or over, your English score is just below the standard requirement, your occupation is not on the CSOL, or your job offer is in a DAMA region and you are happy to build your life there.
Many people are eligible for both. In that case the deciding factors are usually age at the point of permanent residence, how settled you want to be in a particular region, and how long the employer is prepared to wait for endorsement and a labour agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Is a DAMA better than the 482 visa?
Neither is better in general. A DAMA offers concessions on age, English and salary but ties you to a region, while a standard 482 lets you work anywhere in Australia if you meet the full requirements.
Can I apply for a DAMA without an employer?
No. A DAMA is employer sponsored. You need a job offer from an employer in the DAMA region that has been endorsed and has a labour agreement.
Does a DAMA lead to permanent residence?
Yes, in most DAMAs. Common routes are the 186 Labour Agreement stream after a period of work, or the 494 followed by the 191. The timing depends on the agreement.
What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa in 2026?
From 1 July 2026 the Core Skills Income Threshold is A$79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is A$146,576. You must also be paid at least the market rate for the role.
Is there an age limit for the 482 visa?
There is no age limit for the 482 itself. The 186 permanent visa generally requires you to be under 45 unless an exemption applies, which is why many older applicants look at DAMAs.
Can I change employers on a 482 or DAMA visa?
On a 482 you can stay for up to 180 days at a time, and 365 days in total, while you find a new sponsor. Under a DAMA the new employer must also be covered by an agreement for that region.
Not sure whether a DAMA or a 482 is right for you?
We compare both routes against your age, English, occupation and job offer, and tell you which one gives you the clearest path to permanent residence.