Dreaming of the Aussie lifestyle but stuck in visa confusion?
If you’re a skilled worker looking for opportunities in regional Australia. The 494 DAMA visa can be your golden ticket. It allows you to work, live, and eventually settlein some of the most beautiful and growing regions of Australia.
The only scary thing is its complex application system.The paperwork, the eligibility rules, the processing times. It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.
Don’t worry. We, at Modern Migration Australia, know that visas aren’t just about paperwork. They’re about real people chasing real dreams. And we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
From understanding the requirements to getting your application right the first time. We make sure you don’t waste any amount of time or money.
Let’s find out how you can start your Australian journey through the 494 DAMA visa.
What Is DAMA 494 Visa?
The 494 DAMA (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa) is a temporary work visa. That allows skilled overseas workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.
It is introduced on 16 November 2019 in the place of 187 RSMS visa. Since then, 494 is part of the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). A special program designed to address labour shortages in Australian regional communities.
The 494 DAMA visa:
- Allows skilled workers to work in regional Australia under employer sponsorship.
- Offers certain concessions on age, work experience, and English proficiency.
- Has 10,000 visas allocated per year.
- Requires employer sponsorship through a DAMA agreement.
- Provides a pathway to permanent residency after three years.
Let’s find out which regions you can approach via 494 DAMA visa.
Australian Regional Areas: Which Areas Are Included?
Australia defines regional areas based on the need for economic growth and workforce expansion. 3 categories are made in it.
- Major Cities (no 494 DAMA visa)
- Cities & major regional centres (50% places of 494 DAMA)
- Regional centres & other regional areas (50% places of 494 DAMA)
DAMA 494 visa can be applied in all Australian locations excluding only the major cities belonging to category 1 of regional definitions. Those excluded major cities are Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Perth Metropolitan is included in category 2 of regional definition. Ranging from postcodes 6000 to 6038, 6050 to 6083, 6090 to 6182, 6208 to 6211, 6214 and 6556 to 6558. All other regions of Western Australia belong to category 3 of regional definitions.
Regional DAMA Authorities
Each DAMA visa program is administered by a specific regional authority. It manages the visa applications and sets rules according to the workforce needs of that area.
Some of the major DAMA regions include:
- South Australia DAMA (includes Adelaide, Mount Gambier, and Port Augusta).
- Northern Territory DAMA (includes Darwin, Alice Springs, and Katherine).
- Far North Queensland DAMA (includes Cairns and Townsville).
- Orana DAMA (New South Wales) (includes Dubbo and surrounding regions).
- Great South Coast DAMA (Victoria) (includes Warrnambool and Portland).
- Goldfields DAMA (Western Australia) (includes Kalgoorlie and surrounding areas).
Each DAMA region has its own occupation list and specific concessions for applicants.
General Eligibility Criteria for the 494 DAMA Visa
The eligibility criteria mentioned in 494 DAMA visa requirements involves the following components. (Source: WA Govt Migration Services).
1. Age Limit
The DAMA visa age limit is under 45 years at the time of application.
Some DAMA agreements offer age concessions. Allowing applicants up to 50 years of age for certain occupations.
2. Work Experience
At least 3 years of relevant work experience is required in the nominated occupation.
Some DAMA agreements offer work experience concessions for certain occupations.
3. English Language Requirements
Most applicants must demonstrate competent English through IELTS
The minimum IELTS score for WA 494 DAMA visa is 5.0.
Some occupations allow lower English language scores, depending on the DAMA region.
4. Skills Assessment
A positive skills assessment from a relevant authority is required.
Some DAMA agreements provide skills assessment concessions or alternative pathways.
5. Employer Sponsorship
Applicants must be nominated by an approved employer in a regional area.
The employer must prove the absence of an Australian worker for the position.
Let’s get into the details of employment-related 494 DAMA visa requirements.
Employment and Job Requirements
To apply for a 494 DAMA visa, applicants must meet specific job requirements:
- The job you have applied for must be full-time (minimum 38 hours per week).
- The employer must prove that there is a genuine need and hiring a foreign worker is necessary.
- The employer must have an active DAMA labour agreement with the Australian government.
- The salary offered by the employer must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). That is currently AUD 70,000 per year, though some DAMA agreements allow salary concessions.
Moving towards the range of jobs you can apply for.
DAMA Visa Occupation List
Each DAMA region has a different DAMA visa occupation list, depending on local workforce shortages. These lists include a wide range of occupations across different industries. E.g.
| Sector | Occupations |
| Healthcare & Aged Care | Healthcare Workers, Doctors (All Specialties), Aged Care Workers, Registered Nurses, Disability Support Workers. |
| Business & Tourism | Accountants, Managing Staff for Businesses, Chefs, analysts. |
| Engineering & Communication | Engineers in all specialities, ICT Specialists, Programmers. |
| Agriculture & Farming | Dairy Farmers, Beef Cattle Farmers, Agricultural Technicians. |
| Trades & Construction | Welders, Electricians, Diesel Mechanics. |
To check the latest DAMA visa occupation list for your preferred region. Visit the WA migration government website. Or consult a DAMA visa migration agent like Modern Migration Australia.
494 DAMA Visa Processing Time
The 494 DAMA visa processing time varies depending on the complexity of the application and individual circumstances.
Estimated processing times are:
- Standard applications: 6 to 8 months
- Complex applications: Up to 12 months
Get more details at Immigration and Citizenship | Govt of Australia
Factors affecting processing time include:
- Regulations of relevant DAR.
- The completeness of the application.
- Availability of supporting documents.
- Employer nomination approval.
- Skills assessment and English test results.
Let’s explore what you can avail though the 494 DAMA visa.
Entitlements of the 494 DAMA Visa
The 494 DAMA visa provides several benefits for skilled workers and their families:
- Live and work in Australia for up to 5 years in a designated regional area.
- Pathway to permanent residency after 3 years.
- Access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare insurance system.
- Include family members (spouse and dependent children) in the application.
- Travel freely in and out of Australia while the visa is valid.
Limitations of the 494 DAMA Visa
While the 494 DAMA visa provides many opportunities, it also has certain restrictions:
| Restriction | Details |
| Regional Work Requirement | Must work in a regional area, living in metropolitan cities is not allowed. |
| Employer-Specific Sponsorship | Changing employers requires a new nomination. |
| No Immediate Permanent Residency | PR is only possible after the given timeline meeting all requirements. |
| Limited Access to Government Benefits | Some social security payments are restricted until PR is granted. |
Now, let’s find out the application procedure.
494 DAMA visa to PR | How to Apply for Permanent Residency?
The 494 DAMA visa provides a direct pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
Steps Required for 494 DAMA visa to PR include:
- Live and work in a regional area for at least 3 years.
- Meet the income requirement (at least AUD 53,900 per year).
- Comply with visa conditions and work in the nominated occupation.
- Apply for the subclass 191 visa (Skilled Regional PR visa).
Once the 191 visa is granted. Applicants can live and work anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident.
Need assistance with your 494 DAMA visa application?
Get Expert Guidance from Modern Migration Australia
Sorting out 494 DAMA visa is complicated, but you don’t have to do it alone!
At Modern Migration Australia, we specialise in helping skilled workers navigate the complex DAMA visa process.
Our experienced DAMA visa migration agents will guide you through every step. And handle all the paperwork making the process smooth and stress-free for you. So, you can focus on starting your new life in Australia!