South west Victoria runs on dairy, meat processing, health care and hospitality. However, employers across the region often cannot fill roles from the local workforce. Instead, the Great South Coast DAMA gives them another option. It is a regional labour agreement between the Australian Government and Warrnambool City Council. That council also acts as the Designated Area Representative, or DAR.
Because the agreement sits outside the standard skilled program, it reaches occupations and concessions that ordinary sponsorship cannot. This guide covers the terms, the costs and the endorsement steps. All regional figures below come from the DAR’s website, checked on 8 September 2026.
Which employers the Great South Coast DAMA covers
The region entered its DAMA with the Commonwealth in March 2019. It covers six local government areas. These are Glenelg Shire, Southern Grampians Shire, Moyne Shire, Corangamite Shire, Colac Otway Shire and Warrnambool City Council. Therefore only employers based in those areas can apply.
In addition, the DAR expects a viable business trading for at least 12 months. It must have met its obligations to past employees, including overseas workers. The role must be full time and on the approved occupation list. Finally, the employer must show it cannot fill that role locally.
The program is employer sponsored. Therefore a worker cannot apply under the DAMA on their own.
The occupation list
The DAMA is restricted to 113 approved occupations. Also, these span ANZSCO skill levels 1 to 5. For example, the list includes chefs, dairy cattle farm operators, meat boners, registered nurses, electricians and truck drivers. It also includes non-ANZSCO roles, such as Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker.
Importantly, the DAR’s table flags which occupations carry each concession. Some attract both an English and a salary concession. Meanwhile, others carry only the age concession. So check your exact occupation first.
The concessions the agreement allows
Salary
For concessional occupations, a Reduced TSMIT applies. The DAR defines it as 90 per cent of the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold. Home Affairs sets TSMIT at AUD79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. On our arithmetic, 90 per cent is about AUD71,481.
However, the annual market salary rate still applies. Therefore earnings must meet the higher of the two. The DAR also asks for a strong business case.
There are two concession types. Type 1 lets guaranteed overtime count towards earnings, subject to conditions. Type 2 adds monetary and non-monetary benefits. It also caps board at the Regional Victoria Homestay fee.
English
For the 482 and 494, the concession allows an overall IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component. For the 186, it allows an average of 5.0 with no component below 4.0. Meanwhile, OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge CAE are accepted. However, registration or licensing can still demand a higher level.
Age and experience
Age concessions apply to the 186 and 494 programs. They run to 55 years for skill level 1 to 4 roles. For skill level 5 roles, the limit is 50. In addition, the DAR’s skills tables let experience substitute for formal qualifications. Three years is common for trade roles. Meanwhile, one year applies to several skill level 4 roles.
Great South Coast DAMA at a glance
| Item | Great South Coast position |
|---|---|
| Covered area | Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac Otway and Warrnambool |
| Occupations | 113 approved occupations, ANZSCO skill levels 1 to 5 |
| Salary concession | Reduced TSMIT at 90 per cent of TSMIT, in two concession types |
| English concession | IELTS 5.0 overall for 482 and 494; 5.0 average with no band under 4.0 for 186 |
| Age concession | 55 for skill level 1 to 4; 50 for skill level 5 |
| Annual ceiling | A ceiling applies, but the current number is not published by the DAR |
| DAR endorsement fee | AUD850 ex GST per worker under AUD10m turnover; AUD1,000 ex GST at or above AUD10m |
What the process costs
From 1 July 2026, the DAR charges AUD850 excluding GST per worker where turnover is under AUD10 million. Above that turnover, however, the fee is AUD1,000 excluding GST. One note on the DAR’s costs page still shows the earlier figures. Therefore confirm the current fee with the DAR.
Commonwealth charges sit on top. First, Home Affairs charges AUD420 for sponsorship approval. A 482 nomination costs AUD330 and a 186 nomination costs AUD540. The Skilling Australians Fund levy also applies to labour agreement sponsors. For a 482, it is AUD1,200 per year under AUD10 million turnover. Above that, it is AUD1,800 per year. For 186, 187 and 494 nominations, it is a one-off AUD3,000 or AUD5,000. Importantly, employers cannot pass the levy to the worker.
How endorsement works
First, talk to your local council for a preliminary eligibility check. Then lodge a Request for Endorsement with the Commonwealth declaration form. The DAR checks that the occupations and concessions are available. It also checks that ceiling numbers remain and that the concessions suit the regional labour market.
The DAR aims to decide within 7 to 10 working days. If it endorses the request, it issues a letter. That letter names the occupations, the maximum nominations and any concessions. Next, you lodge the labour agreement request through ImmiAccount. Finally, endorsement can run for up to five years, and variations are available.
Labour market testing still applies. So does the requirement to recruit Australians first.
The Industry Labour Agreement rule
From 26 March 2026, a new rule applies to occupations covered by an Industry Labour Agreement. If your business could use that agreement, the DAR cannot endorse the occupation. So it can only be endorsed under the DAMA for work in a different industry. Therefore check the Home Affairs list first.
DAMA terms are reviewed annually and they do change. We checked the terms above on 8 September 2026. Please confirm current terms with the DAR before you rely on them.
For background, see our guide to what a DAMA is. We also compare the state’s two agreements in our overview for Victorian employers. Meanwhile, growers further north can read our Goulburn Valley DAMA guide. Finally, employers in the tropics can compare the Far North Queensland DAMA.
Frequently asked questions
Which councils are covered by the Great South Coast DAMA?
Six local government areas are covered. These are Glenelg Shire, Southern Grampians Shire, Moyne Shire, Corangamite Shire, Colac Otway Shire and Warrnambool City Council. Therefore only employers based in those areas can seek endorsement.
How much is the Great South Coast DAMA endorsement fee?
From 1 July 2026, the DAR charges AUD850 excluding GST per worker where turnover is under AUD10 million. Above that turnover, the fee is AUD1,000 excluding GST. Commonwealth charges and the Skilling Australians Fund levy apply separately.
What English score does the Great South Coast DAMA accept?
For the 482 and 494, the concession allows an overall IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component score. For the 186, it allows an average of 5.0 with no component below 4.0. However, higher levels can still apply where registration or licensing requires them.
Does the Great South Coast DAMA lead to permanent residence?
The DAR states that a permanent residence pathway may be available through the 494 and 186 programs. However, eligibility depends on the occupation, the agreement terms and the visa criteria that apply.
Sam Kanjo, Migration Lawyer, Skyline Migration Lawyers, Melbourne.
Talk to us about your Great South Coast nomination
We help south west Victorian employers scope the occupation and build the endorsement request. We also manage the labour agreement and nomination stages. Call us on 03 8108 8748 or email info@skylinemigrationlawyers.com.au.
This article is general information only. It is not legal advice and it does not consider your circumstances. DAMA terms and charges change, so please seek tailored advice.
