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About the FNQ DAMA
The FNQ DAMA is a skilled migration program that is tailored to the needs of our Far North Queensland region (FNQ). The FNQ DAMA differs in many ways from standard skilled migration pathways, providing more flexibility and certainty for both employers and workers. The key differences are*:
- An FNQ DAMA occupation list designed for our region, with a greater range of occupations not linked to standard occupation lists, and with no caveats
- The ability to have occupations added (or removed) as local demands determine
- Semi-skilled as well as skilled occupations (Skill Levels 1-5 instead of Skill Levels 1-3)
- The facility to design and include unique local occupations not in ANZSCO (the standard classification of occupations)
- Access to a clearly-defined permanent visa pathway for all occupations in Skill Levels 1-4
- Access to age concessions of 55 or 50 (depending on occupation) rather than the general age limit of 45 applying to standard skilled migration pathways
- The option of two visa pathways – TSS 482 to ENS 186, or SESR 494 to 191 (*the 191 comes into effect in Nov 2022)
- Concessions to many skills, qualifications, and experience requirements, compared to those in standard skilled migration pathways
- Salary concessions for lower skilled occupations that reflect FNQ market rates, ensuring that worker terms and conditions of employment are not eroded
- English language concessions for numerous occupations
- More lenient Labour Market Testing requirements than standard requirements
- Priority processing times
The FNQ DAMA operates under a Labour Agreement framework. This means that employers can seek one occupation/position or multiple occupations and positions in a single agreement. It also means that prospective workers do not necessarily need to have been identified at time of applying, allowing for future planning. Individuals can then be nominated against the occupations and numbers of positions in the Labour Agreement. A Labour Agreement is generally valid for five years and be varied at any time (such as adding further occupations/positions).
As with all skilled migration, the priority is employment for Australians first. However, the FNQ DAMA provides a tailored and accessible option for employers seeking to fill one or multiple occupations and positions where they can demonstrate skills shortages.
For full details and how to access the program, click here.
Which employers can access the FNQ DAMA?
To access a FNQ DAMA Labour Agreement, employers must first be endorsed by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce as the Designated Area Representative (DAR). Employers can access the FNQ DAMA if they*:
- are operating within the FNQ DAMA 'Designated Area' which includes postcodes 4852, 4854-4856, 4858-4861, 4865, 4868-4875, 4877-4883, 4885-4886 and 4895, within the Cairns, Douglas, Mareeba, Tablelands, Cook, or Cassowary Coast local government areas, or the Torres Shire Council local government area, or the Weipa Town Authority area)
- are viable and have been operating for at least 12 months unless there are exceptional circumstances
- have no history of not meeting obligations to employees
- are looking to employ overseas workers to fill full-time positions with duties that align with one or more of the occupations on the FNQ DAMA occupation list
- can demonstrate they cannot fill the position locally with Australian citizens or permanent residents
- can provide terms and conditions of employment to overseas workers that are in accordance with those offered to Australian workers employed in the region.
For full details and how to access the program, click here.
All enquiries about the FNQ DAMA may be directed to
Note: * This is a summary only - do not make business decisions based on this summary.
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Recent updates
FNQ DAMA important update - 1 September 2021*
As of 1 September 2021, more lenient Labour Market Testing requirements apply to the FNQ DAMA than to non-DAMA programs, at time of requesting the Labour Agreement and also when lodging any nominations associated with that Labour Agreement. These more lenient requirements are detailed here. These will be reflected in all FNQ DAMA Labour Agreements signed on or after 1 September 2021, regardless of when the Labour Agreement was requested from the Department of Home Affairs. As with any FNQ DAMA updates, holders of existing FNQ DAMA Labour Agreements can request that these changes be varied in their existing agreement.
FNQ DAMA important update - 11 August 2021*
An additional variation has been added to the FNQ DAMA as of 11 August 2021. An age concession is now available for the SESR 494 pathway, in addition to the existing age concession for the TSS482/ENS186 pathway. For details, refer to the FNQ DAMA Occupation List and the FNQ DAMA Information Guide in the next page.
Note: * These updates are a summary only - do not make business decisions based on these summaries.
