The Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) has been an essential tool for businesses addressing workforce shortages by leveraging skilled migration. As the current agreement is set to expire on 13 December 2024, the NT Government is negotiating a new five-year agreement, NT DAMA III, with the Department of Home Affairs. This next phase aims to enhance the program with an expanded occupations list, streamlined application processes, and other improvements to better serve businesses and migrants.
While every effort is being made to ensure a smooth transition, NT DAMA III is anticipated to commence by mid to late January 2025, which will result in a temporary suspension of the program. Here’s a detailed guide to help businesses navigate this period.
Endorsement Applications:
Labour Agreements and Nominations:
Example: If a business is endorsed on 30 November 2024 and its labour agreement is approved on 16 December 2024, it can use the first-year ceilings until 16 December 2025, even though NT DAMA would no longer be in effect from 13 December 2024.
Skills Assessments:
Once NT DAMA III is operational, businesses can expect:
To minimize disruption during the brief suspension of the program, businesses are encouraged to:
The NT Government acknowledges the temporary challenges posed by this transition and is committed to ensuring businesses are well-supported. For queries or further assistance, contact MigrationNT:
This transition marks an exciting step forward for the NT DAMA program. With NT DAMA III, businesses can look forward to enhanced migration pathways and greater flexibility to address workforce needs.
Need help navigating these changes? Contact IME Advisors for expert migration assistance. Let us make your transition to NT DAMA III seamless and stress-free!