Summary
- More jobs for Skilled Migrants: New roles like Podiatrist, Plasterer, Tiler, and Outside School Hours Care Worker have been added, creating more chances to live and work in FNQ.
- Visa benefits & concessions: The FNQ DAMA offers lower English requirements, age limit up to 55, and PR pathways through visas 482, 494, and 186.
- Covers key growth Regions: Applies to Cairns, Cook Shire, Mareeba, Torres Strait and more, all areas with high demand in tourism, aged care, healthcare, trades, and education.
The Far North Queensland (FNQ) Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) just got bigger and better! In March and June 2025, new occupations and refinements were to the program were made. The FNQ Dama now has 226 eligible roles available.
Whether you’re an employer struggling to fill local jobs or a skilled migrant looking for a pathway to live and work in Australia, this is great news.
Newly Added Roles Include:
- Sand Blaster
- Industrial Spray Painter
- Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter
- Podiatrist
- Wall & Ceiling Plasterer
- Wall & Floor Tiler
- Outside School Hours Care Worker
English test concessions are now available for key roles like Chef.
Benefits for Employers:
- Fill workforce shortages across hospitality, trades, healthcare, education, and construction.
- Access skilled overseas workers faster and with greater flexibility.
- Benefit from visa concessions and permanent residency (PR) pathways.
Benefits for Skilled Workers:
- More occupations mean more opportunities to live and work in Far North Queensland.
- Permanent Residency pathway available through visas 482, 494, and 186.
- Lower salary thresholds and relaxed age limits (up to 55 for some roles).
- English language concessions now apply to selected jobs.
FNQ DAMA Coverage Area
This agreement applies to employers and jobs located in:
- Cairns
- Cook Shire
- Douglas
- Mareeba
- Tablelands
- Croydon
- Etheridge
- Torres Strait regions
These areas are growing and in high need of skilled labour especially in tourism, health, aged care, trades, and early childhood sectors.
Next Steps:
If you’re an Employer:
- Request endorsement from the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.
- Apply for a DAMA Labour Agreement through ImmiAccount.
- Nominate your chosen overseas worker for a visa.
If you’re a skilled Migrant:
- Check if your occupation is on the FNQ DAMA list.
- Meet the skill, experience, and English requirements.
- Get sponsored by an approved employer and apply for your visa.
We offer:
- Expert advice on DAMA eligibility
- Assistance with employer endorsement applications
- Full support through the visa nomination and application process
- Tailored migration planning for both businesses and individuals
Contact us today to book a free consultation or ask about your eligibility.
Disclaimer – Content in these articles does not constitute immigration or legal advice, it is not intended as a substitute for such advice and must not be relied upon as such. This material is intended to offer general guidelines for informational purposes only. The information provided is accurate as of the time of publication. Please consult with our Australian MARN registered agents via our content forms on our website or call on 1800 567 663 to make an appointment.
MARN – 2217877 / 1068715
