Important updates to NT DAMA

The Northern Territory Designation Migration Area Agreement (NT DAMA) has been updated to ensure the program is more accessible to Territory businesses experiencing critical skill shortages.

The key changes to NT DAMA are:

• an increased annual ceiling enabling Territory employers to fill up to 625 vacant positions per year with overseas workers
• a more streamlined framework that enables Territory employers to access workers over a 5-year period rather than having to re-apply each year
• a more flexible permanent resident pathway
• 24 new occupations including some lower skilled occupations in the agriculture, aquaculture and meat industries
• more flexible skills and work experience requirements for overseas workers
• higher age threshold for sponsored overseas workers
• a lower English language threshold for trade occupations
• the ability for employers to nominate workers under the new 5-year Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa subclass 494.

The NT DAMA provides Territory businesses with solutions to critical skill shortages by providing access to skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers when vacancies are unable to be filled by local workers.

The improvements to NT DAMA will provide Territory employers with greater ease of recruiting and retaining overseas workers to occupations that are in critical shortage.

The Northern Territory Government prioritises jobs for Territorians, therefore overseas workers are only sought if employers provide evidence they are unable to attract Territorian or Australian workers to fill their vacancies.

Business owners who are interested in finding out more about NT DAMA can call 08 8999 5264 or email migration@nt.gov.au.

Read more information about NT DAMA.

Employment information sessions

Register to attend the NT DAMA Employment Information Session in your region:

Darwin

Wednesday, 23 March 2022
5pm arrival for 5:30pm start to 7pm

The Territory Conference Room,
Ground Floor, Development House,
76 The Esplanade
Darwin

Register online at Eventbrite by COB Tuesday 22 March 2022.

Katherine

Thursday, 24 March 2022
5pm arrival for 5:30pm start to 7pm

Contour Boardroom,
Contour Hotel Katherine,
9 Cyprus St,
Katherine

Register online at Eventbrite by COB Wednesday 23 March 2022.

Alice Springs

Monday, 28 March 2022
5pm arrival for 5:30pm start to 7pm

Ball Room,
DoubleTree by Hilton,
82 Barrett Dr,
Alice Springs

Register online at Eventbrite by COB Friday 25 March 2022.

Tennant Creek

Tuesday, 29 March 2022
5pm arrival for 5:30pm start to 7pm

Barkly House Conference Room,
First Floor, Barkly House,
99 Paterson Street,
Tennant Creek

Register online at Eventbrite by COB Monday 28 March 2022.

Nhulunbuy

Information sessions for Nhulunbuy are being planned for April 2022.