Employers across the Goulburn Valley often cannot fill skilled and semi skilled roles locally. The Goulburn Valley DAMA gives them another route. It opens occupations that the standard skilled program leaves out. However, it carries its own rules, fees and concessions. This guide sets out what the region’s DAR published as at 3 September 2026.
What the Goulburn Valley DAMA actually is
A Designated Area Migration Agreement sits between the Australian Government and a regional authority. Home Affairs confirms that 13 DAMAs operate nationally. Each one runs on two tiers.
First, a five year head agreement covers the region and its Designated Area Representative, or DAR. Then employers enter their own labour agreements under those settings. Those agreements generally run five years as well.
In the Goulburn Valley, Greater Shepparton City Council acts as the DAR. The region entered its DAMA in December 2021. Endorsed employers can therefore nominate workers under the subclass 482, 494 and 186 programs. For the national picture, see our DAMA guide.
Which areas the GV DAMA covers
The program serves businesses in the City of Greater Shepparton, Campaspe Shire and Moira Shire. In addition, the DAR publishes the eligible Victorian postcodes. They start at 3559 and run through to 3730. The published ranges include 3561 to 3566, 3616 to 3618, 3620 to 3624 and 3635 to 3641.
Both the business and the position must sit inside that footprint. Furthermore, the business must have operated lawfully in the region for over 12 months. Our Victorian DAMA overview compares it with the Great South Coast.
The occupation list
The DAR states that the agreement is restricted to 138 approved occupations. The current list carries an August 2026 date. It spans agriculture, food processing, health, trades, hospitality and transport. Meanwhile, each occupation carries its own skill level and concession settings. Therefore the first question is never the concession. It is whether the role sits on the list.
The concessions at a glance
| Item | Goulburn Valley DAMA position |
|---|---|
| Covered area | Greater Shepparton, Campaspe and Moira, postcodes 3559 to 3730 |
| Occupations | 138 approved occupations, list dated August 2026 |
| Salary concession | 90% of TSMIT or CSIT, for concessional occupations only |
| English concession | IELTS 5.0 average, component rules vary by table and visa |
| Age concession | Under 55 for skill level 1 to 4, under 50 for skill level 5 |
| Annual ceiling | A ceiling applies, but the number is not published by the DAR |
| DAR fee | AUD750 excluding GST per worker |
Salary concession
The DAR lists certain occupations as concessional occupations. For those roles, an employer must still pay the annual market salary rate. In addition, the worker must receive the reduced threshold. The DAR defines that as 90% of TSMIT or CSIT.
The 2026 to 2027 CSIT and TSMIT both sit at AUD79,423 on Home Affairs figures. Ninety per cent of that is about AUD71,480. Because thresholds index each July, that number moves annually.
The DAR also sets two concession types. Under type 1, earnings can include guaranteed overtime. Under type 2, earnings must reach the full threshold. They may then include monetary and non monetary benefits, and food and board cannot exceed 10% of the threshold. Moreover, the DAR wants a strong business case for any salary concession.
English language concession
English concessions apply only to listed occupations. For most of those roles, the DAR sets an average of IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component score. That setting covers subclass 482 and subclass 494. For subclass 186, the average stays at 5.0 but no component may fall below 4.0.
A smaller table applies the 5.0 average with a 4.0 floor across all three visas. Equivalent results in OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge English: Advanced also count. However, licensing rules can still require a higher level.
Age concession
The age concession applies to the subclass 494 and subclass 186 programs. Workers in skill level 1 to 4 roles must not have turned 55 at nomination. For skill level 5 roles, the limit is 50. The subclass 186 route also requires at least two years on a subclass 482 visa.
Skills and experience
Skill level 4 and 5 roles need a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. They also need two years of relevant experience for subclass 494. Alternatively, one year in Australia can support a subclass 482 nomination.
What the Goulburn Valley DAMA costs an employer
The DAR charges AUD750 excluding GST per worker for the endorsement request. Home Affairs charges then apply separately. Sponsorship costs AUD420, a subclass 482 nomination costs AUD330, and a subclass 186 nomination costs AUD540.
The Skilling Australians Fund levy sits on top. For subclass 482, it runs at AUD1,200 a year under AUD10 million turnover, and AUD1,800 above that. For the permanent and regional programs, it is a one off AUD3,000 or AUD5,000. Importantly, employers cannot pass these costs to the worker.
How endorsement works
The DAR publishes a six step process. First, the employer applies for endorsement. Second, the DAR assesses that request. Third, a positive assessment produces an endorsement letter. Fourth, the business asks the Department to enter a labour agreement. Fifth, the Department assesses that request. Finally, the employer lodges the nomination and the worker lodges the visa.
Endorsement can run for up to five years. Nevertheless, the DAR allocates positions for the first year only. Employers therefore reapply each year for further occupations, workers or variations.
The permanent residence pathway
The agreement identifies occupations that carry a subclass 186 pathway. Because that pathway is occupation specific, check it before recruitment starts. Our note on the DAMA permanent residence pathway explains the usual timing.
Where Goulburn Valley employers get caught
Three problems come up repeatedly. First, employers assume a concession applies because another region publishes it. In fact, terms differ region by region, as our Far North Queensland DAMA guide shows.
Second, employers treat DAR endorsement as approval. It is not. The Department still assesses the agreement, the nomination and the visa. Third, employers recruit before checking the occupation list for the year.
DAMA terms checked on 3 September 2026. DAMA settings change after each annual review. Please confirm current occupations, concessions and fees with the Goulburn Valley DAR before you rely on them.
Frequently asked questions
Which councils does the Goulburn Valley DAMA cover?
The GV DAMA covers businesses in the City of Greater Shepparton, Campaspe Shire and Moira Shire. The DAR also publishes eligible Victorian postcodes running from 3559 to 3730. Both the business and the position must sit inside that area.
How many occupations are on the Goulburn Valley DAMA list?
The DAR states that the agreement is restricted to 138 approved occupations. The current list carries an August 2026 date. Each occupation has its own skill level, and its own salary, English and permanent residence settings.
What salary concession does the GV DAMA offer?
For concessional occupations, the DAR allows a reduced threshold of 90% of TSMIT or CSIT. Employers must still pay the annual market salary rate. On the 2026 to 2027 threshold of AUD79,423, that reduced figure is about AUD71,480.
Does DAR endorsement mean the visa is approved?
No. Endorsement only allows the business to ask the Department for a labour agreement. The Department then assesses the agreement, the nomination and the visa application separately, on their own merits.
Sam Kanjo, Migration Lawyer, Skyline Migration Lawyers, Melbourne.
Speak to a migration lawyer about the Goulburn Valley DAMA
If your business sits in Shepparton, Moira or Campaspe, we can review your roles against the current list. We can also prepare the endorsement and labour agreement requests. Call 03 8108 8748 or email info@skylinemigrationlawyers.com.au.
This article is general information only. It is not legal or migration advice. Please seek tailored advice before you act.
