Victoria Great South Coast DAMA

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

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.

Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111) is one of the occupations available under the Victoria Great South Coast Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

With growing demand for aged care and disability support services across regional Victoria, many employers in the Great South Coast region use the DAMA program to sponsor suitably qualified overseas workers where they cannot recruit enough local staff.

The Victoria Great South Coast DAMA offers a range of concessions for eligible occupations that may not be available under standard employer-sponsored visa programs. Depending on the occupation and the applicant's circumstances, these concessions can relate to age, salary, English language or work experience requirements.

For many eligible overseas workers, the DAMA can also provide a pathway towards permanent residency in Australia.

At Work Visa Lawyers, Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111) is one of the most common occupations we assist with under the DAMA program.

We regularly help employers and overseas workers with employer sponsorship, DAMA applications and permanent residency pathways throughout regional Victoria.

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

From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is $79,423 per year. For eligible occupations, the Victoria Great South Coast DAMA allows employers to access a salary concession of up to 10%, reducing the minimum salary threshold to $71,481 (90% of the CSIT), provided they continue to pay at least the applicable Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the position and meet all DAMA, nomination and visa requirements.

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:

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

Talk to an Immigration Lawyer

Speak with Our DAMA Lawyers or Agents

Our experienced team regularly advises employers and overseas workers on Victoria Great South Coast DAMA applications for Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111) and other employer-sponsored visa pathways.

Our team includes:

Whether you are an employer looking to sponsor an overseas care worker or an overseas applicant seeking to work in regional Victoria, our team can provide tailored advice throughout the Victoria Great South Coast DAMA process.

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