This article is updated regularly. Last updated: Wednesday, 15 July 2026

The Northern Territory is an attractive destination for many tourists due to its iconic locations including Uluru and Kakadu National Park, its Indigenous art and cultures, the saltwater crocodiles, and its one-million-dollar barramundi fishing prize.

But for migrants, the opportunity to apply for the Nothern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) is the biggest attraction, offering the prize of Australian Permanent Residency.

If you're exploring visa pathways to live and work in Australia—especially if you're aged between 45 and 55—the Northern Territory DAMA (NT DAMA) might be your best route to permanent residency.

In this blog, we will talk about the Northern Territory DAMA, which is a powerful migration option for skilled and semi-skilled workers.

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What is the Northern Territory DAMA?

The Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement, or Northern Territory DAMA, is a formal labour agreement between the Australian Government and the Northern Territory Government. It enables local employers to sponsor overseas workers to fill critical labour shortages under more flexible rules than standard employer-sponsored visas.

The entire Northern Territory is covered under one DAMA, which makes the process more streamlined.

Important update on the Northern Territory DAMA program

The agreement between the Northern Territory and Australian government for the NT DAMA II program expired on 13 December 2024.

A new Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (Northern Territory DAMA III) was executed between the Northern Territory and Australian governments on 19 March 2025.

The online application portal is open for new endorsement applications under NT DAMA III.

Why is NT DAMA Important?

There are significant workforce shortages across industries like:

• Health and aged care
• Agriculture and farming
• Hospitality and tourism
• Building and construction
• Transport and logistics
• Engineering and community services

The NT DAMA helps regional employers hire international talent when suitable candidates cannot be sourced locally.
So, the NT DAMA can help employers fill staff shortages.

NT additional occupations not in ANZSCO

The NT DAMA is unique in that it provides access to some occupations not in the ANZSCO. These are:

• Bar attendant (supervisor)
• Civil construction site supervisor
• Cook (specialist ethnic cuisine)
• Electrical motor repairer or winder
• High access maintenance and cleaning technician
• Hospitality worker
• Skilled horticultural worker
• Waiter (supervisor)

So, this is good if you work in one of those occupations in the Northern Territory.
You can check the NT DAMA occupation list on the NT DAMA website to see if your occupation is on the list.

Who Can Apply Under NT DAMA?

To be eligible for a DAMA visa in the Northern Territory, you must:

• Work in an eligible occupation on the NT DAMA III occupation list
• Have a valid job offer from a Northern Territory employer
• Meet the required skills and qualifications (with concessions available)
• Meet the English and salary requirements, which are more flexible under DAMA

Visa Options Under the NT DAMA

The NT DAMA provides access to several employer-sponsored visa pathways:

• Up to 4-year Skills in Demand 482 visa – with a PR pathway through the DAMA 186 visa
• 5-year Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) 494 visa with a PR pathway through the 191 visa
• Permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa (for those eligible for the permanent residence pathway).

The NT DAMA occupations list may be reviewed and updated annually by agreement between the NT Government and the Australian Government.
The annual review is informed by:

• The NT Skilled Occupations Priority List, which is used as a base from which the NT DAMA occupations list is developed
• Other labour market information including submissions received from industry peak bodies

Northern Territory DAMA Concessions

The DAMA offers several key concessions that make it more accessible than standard visa streams:

• Age: In many cases, workers can apply up to age 55
• Salary: From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is AU$ 79,423 per year. The NT DAMA provides a salary concession for all available occupations where the Northern Territory market salary rate is below the CSIT. Where a concession applies, employers must pay sponsored overseas workers at least 85% of the CSIT (AU$ 67,510) or the applicable Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the position, whichever is higher. Employers must also meet all other NT DAMA, nomination and visa requirements.
• English: Reduced English language requirements apply to certain occupations

Common Occupations in Demand (NT DAMA)

The NT DAMA supports a wide range of roles, such as:

• Disability and aged care workers
• Child care educators
• Hospitality staff (chefs, cooks, restaurant managers for the 494 visa)
• Truck drivers
• Horticultural labourers
• IT support professionals
• Engineers and draftspersons
• Nurses over 45 and up to 55 years old

Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111) is one of the occupations available under the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA). 

With increasing demand for aged care and disability support services across the Northern Territory, many regional employers rely on the NT DAMA to sponsor suitably qualified overseas workers where they cannot find enough local employees.

The NT DAMA offers eligible employers access to a broader range of occupations than the standard skilled migration program and may provide concessions for eligible applicants, depending on the occupation and individual circumstances. 

If you are working as an Aged or Disabled Carer, Disability Support Worker or Personal Care Worker, the NT DAMA may provide an employer-sponsored pathway to work and live in the Northern Territory.

At Work Visa Lawyers, we regularly assist employers and overseas workers with NT DAMA applications for Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111), including employer endorsement, labour agreement applications, employer-sponsored visas and permanent residency pathways.

How Do You Apply for a DAMA Visa in the NT?

The application process involves several steps:

1. Secure a job offer from an approved employer in the Northern Territory
2. The employer must apply for endorsement from the NT Government
3. If endorsed, the employer enters into a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government
4. Then, the worker is nominated and applies for a visa with the Department of Home Affairs

Why Choose NT DAMA?

The Northern Territory DAMA is a fantastic option for migrants who want to live and work in regional Australia. It offers:

• A clear pathway to permanent residency
• Greater flexibility on age, English, salary, and experience
• Opportunities in sectors with genuine labour shortages
• Lower cost of living and strong community support in regional areas

DAMAs in Australia

There are many other DAMA regions across Australia, including:

• All of Western Australia (Western Australia DAMA)
• All of South Australia (South Australia DAMA)
• Much of New South Wales through the Orana DAMA
• Parts of Victoria
• Parts of Queensland

Let’s hope Tasmania and the ACT join the DAMA soon as well.

If you're interested in applying through the NT DAMA or any other DAMA region, book a consultation with us to explore your options.

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Speak with Our DAMA Lawyers or Agents

Our experienced team regularly assists employers and overseas workers with Northern Territory DAMA applications for Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111) and other employer-sponsored visa pathways.

Our team includes:

• Luke Edwards – Immigration Lawyer
• Mir Ghulam Mustafa – Immigration Lawyer
• Trang Vu – Immigration Lawyer
• Suman Grewal – Registered Migration Agent
• Avelyn Chen – Consultant

Whether you are an employer looking to sponsor an overseas care worker or an overseas applicant seeking to work in the Northern Territory, our team can guide you through every stage of the NT DAMA process.

Related Resources:

• https://dtbar.nt.gov.au/workforce-population/northern-territory-designated-area-migration-agreement
• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-workers/nominating-a-position/labour-agreements/designated-area-migration-agreements
• Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)
• Disability Carer 423111: How Resicare Uses SA DAMA to Fill Skills Shortages
• South Australia DAMA
• NSW Orana DAMA
• Great South Coast DAMA