DAMA Concessions
Under the DAMA, specific variations to the eligibility requirements have been negotiated between RDA Orana and the Australian Government. These arrangements allow some flexibility to recruit staff members who may not quite meet the standard visa criteria but are still able to safely perform the functions of the intended role.
Please note: All concessions need to be applied for. Please request it in your application if needed.
Not all concessions are available for all roles, and for some roles, there are no available concessions. For more information on the types of concessions, please refer to the relevant tables on each concession page listed below.
The available concessions are:
For all occupations on the DAMA Occupations list, a permanent residence pathway may be available through the ENS (subclass 186) visa, after having lived and worked in the Murray region for three years on a TSS visa granted under the DAMA.
There are some additional requirements. If you require further information please contact: team@rdamurray.org.au
The DAMA now has age concessions available. These depend on skill level.
- For occupations with Skill Level 1-4, an age concession of up to 55 years of age is available.
- For occupations with Skill Level 5, the age concession is up to 50 years of age.
For all skilled migration visas, the nominee is required to meet English language requirements. Visa applicants demonstrate their English language levels by undergoing accepted English language tests. Exemptions from testing apply for some applicants.
The concessions available for the English language will vary depending on the substantive visa being applied for under the DAMA. The DAMA Occupation List shows the occupations where an English concession is available, further detail is outlined in the table below.
For the Occupations that are eligible for the English Language concession, the following applies:
- TSS and SESR: average score of IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English)
- ENS: average score of IELTS 5.0 with no component being less than IELTS 4.0 or equivalent (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English).
Employers seeking an English concession for an occupation need to provide reasoning as part of their endorsement application. This should explain why a lower level of English language is acceptable for the requested occupation. Consideration should be given to how any workplace safety risks will be managed for workers with lower levels of English.
The TSMIT value is set by legislation to ensure that migrant workers can financially support themselves in Australia and acknowledges the additional costs temporary residents incur (such as health care and education costs). The current value of the TSMIT is $70,000 excluding superannuation.
When calculating whether the salary paid by an employer meets the TSMIT, annual earnings may consist of the base salary plus guaranteed earnings such as housing, company car, and guaranteed overtime where this is the industry standard. If an employer intends to include these guaranteed earnings to meet TSMIT requirements, they must be valued and written into the agreed employment contract.
The use of concessions must not undermine relevant industrial awards nor market salary rates for an equivalent Australian employee in the same location.
There are two TSMIT concessions available under the DAMA.
Type 1
Businesses must demonstrate that annual monetary earnings will be at least 90% of TSMIT while also meeting Award requirements and Annual Market Salary Rate expectations for the specific occupation and location.
Type 2
Businesses must demonstrate that monetary earnings will be at least 90% of TSMIT and non-monetary earnings (food and board) must not be more than 10% of TSMIT, with the total package being at least equal to the TSMIT.
There are very specific rules as to what constitutes eligible non-monetary earnings:
- The benefits must relate to the actual living costs of the employee, and they would have genuinely been paid by the employee had the employer not paid them
- The benefit must be measurable (and able to be documented/verified)
- The benefit must be guaranteed in the employment contract and must be consistent with that of other, similar employees
- The benefit excludes non-guaranteed overtime, bonuses, and commissions.
As per Concession Type 1, total earnings must also at least meet award requirements and Annual Market Salary Rate expectations for the specific occupation and location. To find out more about guaranteed overtime and how it may apply, contact us via team@rdamurray.org.au
The table below outlines which occupations under the DAMA are eligible for the TSMIT concessions outlined above.
ANZSCO Code | Occupation | Skill Level | TSMIT Concession | English Language Concessions | Age Concessions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
551111 | Accounts Clerk | 4 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
423111 | Aged or Disabled Carer | 4 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
721111 | Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
311111 | Agricultural T3echnician | 2 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
253211 | Anaesthetist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
121311 | Apiarist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
311114 | Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician | 2 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
841111/842111 | Aquaculture Worker | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |
321111 | Automotive Electrician | 3 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
721212 | Backhoe Operator | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
351111 | Baker | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
831111 | Baking Factory Worker | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |
712911 | Boiler or Engine Worker | 5 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
551211 | Bookkeeper | 3 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
331111 | Bricklayer | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
712912 | Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operator | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
721213 | Bulldozer Operator | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
351211 | Butcher or Smallgoods Maker | 3 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
394111 | Cabinetmaker | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
141111 | Cafe or Restaurant Manager | 2 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
331212 | Carpenter | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
351311 | Chef | 2 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
399211 | Chemical Plant Operator | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
421111 | Child Care Group Leader | 2 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
421111 | Child Care Worker | 3 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
233211 | Civil Engineer | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
272311 | Clinical Psychologist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
263111 | Computer Network and Systems Engineer | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
133111 | Construction Project Manager | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
351411 | Cook | 3 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
121313 | Dairy Cattle Farmer | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
831114 | Dairy Products Maker | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |
732111 | Delivery Driver | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
411211 | Dental Hygienist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
253312 | Dentist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
321212 | Diesel Motor Mechanic | 3 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
712211 | Driller | 4 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
241111 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
721211 | Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) | 4 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
233311 | Electrical Engineer | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
342211 | Electrical Linesworker | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
341111 | Electrician (General) | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
341112 | Electrician (Special Class) | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
253912 | Emergency Medicine Specialist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
712311 | Engineering Production Worker | 4 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
411411 | Enrolled Nurse | 2 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
721214 | Excavator Operator | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
323211 | Fitter (General) | 3 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
323212 | Fitter and Turner | 3 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
234212 | Food Technologist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
721311 | Forklift Driver | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
832113 | Fruit and Vegetable Packer | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |
841212 | Fruit or Nut Picker | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |
531111 | General Clerk | 4 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
253111 | General Practitioner | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
721215 | Grader Operator | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
831116 | Grain Mill Worker | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |
121215 | Graper Grower | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
142114 | Hair or Beauty Salon Manager | 2 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
363114 | Horticultural Supervisor | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
149999 | Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec | 2 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
141311 | Hotel or Motel Manager | 2 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
721216 | Loader Operator | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
133411 | Manufacturer | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
831211 | Meat Boner and Slicer | 4 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
831311 | Meat Process Worker | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |
312512 | Mechanical Engineering Technician | 2 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
234611 | Medical Laboratory Scientist | 1 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
311213 | Medical Laboratory Technician | 2 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
322311 | Metal Fabricator | 3 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
323299 | Metal Fitters and Machinists nec | 3 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
323214 | Metal Machinist (First Class) | 3 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
712212 | Miner | 4 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
121411 | Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
842499 | Mixed Production Farm Workers nec | 5 | YES | NO | YES (50) |
721999 | Mobile Plant Operators nec | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
321211 | Motor Mechanic (General) | 3 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
423312 | Nursing Support Worker | 4 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
252411 | Occupational Therapist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
512111 | Office Manager | 2 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
332211 | Painting Trades Worker/Painter | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
324111 | Panel Beater | 3 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
712916 | Paper and Pulp Mill Operator | 4 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
711311 | Paper Products Machine Operator | 4 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
351112 | Pastry Cook | 3 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
551311 | Payroll Clerk | 4 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
521111 | Personal Assistant | 2 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
423313 | Personal Care Assistant | 4 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
311215 | Pharmacy Technician | 2 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
252511 | Physiotherapist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
334111 | Plumber (General) | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
121321 | Poultry Farmer | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
241213 | Primary School Teacher | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
392311 | Printing Machinist | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
133512 | Production Manager (Manufacturing) | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
254412 | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
254415 | Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
254499 | Registered Nurse nec | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
254423 | Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
254424 | Registered Nurse (Surgical) | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
253112 | Resident Medical Officer | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
411715 | Residential Care Officer | 2 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
251513 | Retail Pharmacist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
831313 | Seafood Process Worker | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |
241411 | Secondary School Teacher | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
363115 | Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
363116 | Senior Broadacre Crop Farm Worker | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
442217 | Security Officer | 4 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
831212 | Slaughterer | 4 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
272511 | Social Worker | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
252712 | Speech Pathologist | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
331112 | Stonemason | 3 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
741111 | Storeperson | 4 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
312116 | Surveying or Spatial Science Technician | 2 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
232212 | Surveyor | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
423314 | Therapy Aide | 4 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
733111 | Truck Driver – general | 4 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
841215/842221 | Vegetable Picker | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |
324311 | Vehicle Painter | 3 | YES | YES | YES (55) |
234711 | Veterinarian | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
361311 | Veterinary Nurse | 3 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
242211 | Vocational Education Teacher | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
431511 | Waiter (Food and Beverage Attendant) | 4 | YES | NO | YES (55) |
333411 | Wall and Floor Tiler | 3 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
712921 | Waste Water or Water Plant Operator | 4 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
322313 | Welder (first class) | 3 | NO | YES | YES (55) |
272613 | Welfare Worker | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
234213 | Wine Maker | 1 | NO | NO | YES (55) |
831118 | Winery Cellar Hand | 5 | YES | YES | YES (50) |