If you’re working in a regional area of Australia under a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), you may be wondering how to transition from your temporary 482 visa to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream). The DAMA pathway offers some unique concessions, but it also comes with specific requirements that can trip up applicants — especially those who have changed employers.
What Is a DAMA?
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A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a regional authority (such as a state, territory, or local government body). It allows employers in that designated area to sponsor overseas workers for occupations that may not otherwise be available on the standard skilled occupation lists, or with concessions to standard visa requirements such as age, English language, and salary thresholds.
The 2-Year Work Requirement for 186 TRT Under DAMA
To be eligible for the Subclass 186 visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream) under a DAMA, the applicant must generally have been employed on a full-time basis in the nominated occupation — or a closely related occupation within the same ANZSCO 4-digit unit group — for at least two years before the nomination is made.
During this entire two-year period, the worker must have held a Subclass 482 (or former Subclass 457) visa that was granted in connection with the relevant DAMA, and must have worked in the designated area specified in the agreement.
What If You’ve Changed Employers?
This is where things can get complicated. If you’ve changed employers during your time on the 482 visa — even if you stayed in the same occupation and the same DAMA region — you need to carefully check whether the work with each employer counts towards the two-year requirement.
The key requirements are that for the entire two-year period, the worker must have been employed in the nominated occupation (or a closely related one), held a 482/457 visa granted under the DAMA, and worked in the designated area. If all three conditions are met across multiple employers, the combined work may count — but this needs to be carefully documented.
It’s also important to note that the standard 186 TRT pathway has similar requirements, but the DAMA-specific labour agreement may have additional conditions. Always check the specific terms of the relevant DAMA to confirm what’s required.
Benefits of the DAMA Pathway
The DAMA pathway can offer several advantages over the standard 482/186 route:
- Access to more occupations: DAMAs may include occupations not on the standard skilled occupation lists
- Age concessions: Some DAMAs allow applicants over 45 to be nominated for the 186 visa
- English language concessions: Reduced English requirements may apply under certain DAMAs
- Salary concessions: The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) may be lower under a DAMA
Planning Your Pathway to PR
If you’re currently on a 482 visa under a DAMA and planning to apply for permanent residency, it’s important to start planning early. Keep detailed records of your employment, ensure you remain in the designated area, and confirm with your migration agent that your specific DAMA provides a pathway to the 186 visa.
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Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and is current at the time of publishing. It is not intended as legal or migration advice specific to your situation. For personalised advice, please book a consultation with one of our registered migration agents.
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This article is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.
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