Summary
- The Far North Queensland DAMA allows employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for roles not covered by Australia’s standard skilled migration programs.
- It offers visa concessions and clear permanent residency pathways, making it easier for regional businesses to attract and retain workers.
- Covering areas like Cairns, Mareeba, Douglas, and the Torres region, the FNQ DAMA supports key industries such as tourism, agriculture, healthcare, and trades. Strengthening the local economy.
The Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA) is one of Australia’s most effective regional migration initiatives. Administered by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, the agreement enables employers in Far North Queensland to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for occupations that cannot be filled locally, including many roles not available through Australia’s standard skilled migration programs.
What is the FNQ DAMA?
The FNQ DAMA is a formal five-year agreement between the Australian Government and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, covering a wide area across Far North Queensland including Cairns, Mareeba, Douglas, Tablelands, Cassowary Coast, Cook, and the Torres region.
It gives approved employers access to temporary and permanent visa pathways under visa subclasses 482 (TSS), 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional), and 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme).
This allows businesses to fill critical skills shortages across industries such as tourism, hospitality, agriculture, health care, transport, and trades.
Key benefits for local employers
1. Acess to a wider range of Occupations
Unlike the national Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which only includes occupations at Skill Levels 1–3, the FNQ DAMA extends coverage to Skill Levels 4 and 5. This means regional employers can sponsor semi-skilled and lower-skilled positions that are vital to the local economy but excluded from the national skilled migration lists.
2. Concessions on visa requirements
Many occupations under the FNQ DAMA include concessions on:
- English language requirements
- The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
- Maximum age limits for permanent residency pathways
These concessions recognise regional conditions and make it easier for businesses to attract and retain overseas workers.
3. Clear pathways to Permanent Residency
Every occupation listed under the FNQ DAMA provides a defined pathway to permanent residence.
This allows employers to offer genuine long-term opportunities, improving workforce stability and retention.
4. Streamlined sponsorship process
Once endorsed under the FNQ DAMA, employers can sponsor multiple occupations and apply for concessions without negotiating individual labour agreements with the Department of Home Affairs each time.
Occupations unique to the FNQ DAMA
One of the FNQ DAMA’s most valuable features is the inclusion of occupations that are not available through other skilled migration programs. These are typically Skill Level 4 and 5 roles that reflect real workforce needs in Far North Queensland.
Hospitality and Tourism
- Bar Attendant (Supervisor)
- Barista
- Housekeeping Supervisor
- Waiter (Supervisor)
- Commercial Housekeeper
Agriculture and Primary Industries
- Fruit Picker
- Fruit Farm Worker (Orchard Worker – Fruit)
- Deck Hand
- Mobile Plant Operator (nec)
Transport and Operations
- Forklift Driver / Operator
- Truck Driver (General / Road Train)
- Sand Blaster
- Industrial Spray Painter
Health and Community Services
- Aged or Disabled Carer
- Nursing Support Worker
- Personal Care Assistant
Trades and Services
- Accounts Clerk
- Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter
These occupations are not available under the national Core Skills Occupation List, making the FNQ DAMA a crucial pathway for employers who depend on these roles to sustain operations.
Designated Area Coverage
The FNQ DAMA applies to businesses operating within the following local government areas:
Cairns Regional Council, Shire of Douglas, Mareeba Shire, Tablelands Regional Council, Cassowary Coast, Cook Shire, Croydon, Etheridge, Torres, Northern Peninsula Area, and the Weipa Town Authority.
Employers must have operated within one of these areas for at least 12 months before applying for endorsement.
How employers can access the FNQ DAMA
To participate, employers must:
- Apply for endorsement through the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.
- Enter into a labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
- Nominate the overseas worker under the relevant visa stream (482, 494, or 186).
Detailed eligibility requirements, concession tables, and application forms are available on the Cairns Chamber of Commerce website.
Why the FNQ DAMA matters
The Far North Queensland DAMA is more than a migration framework, it is a regional workforce strategy.
It allows employers to fill persistent skills shortages, provides workers with a defined path to permanent residency, and supports the sustainable growth of local industries.
For employers, it offers the ability to grow and stabilise their workforce. For skilled migrants, it provides an opportunity to contribute to, and build a future in one of Australia’s most dynamic regional economies.
If you would like more information on the Far North Queensland DAMA then please contact one of our Registered Migration Agents. Click the button below!
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.
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