Most people should plan for about 6 to 12 months to get a DAMA visa, and some cases take longer. The time comes from four steps: employer endorsement, a labour agreement, a job nomination, and the visa decision. The visa decision is usually the longest part.
Below, we break down each step in plain words. The figures come from Home Affairs and regional bodies, and we checked them in November 2026. Times change every month, so treat them as a guide.
Is It a Visa?
DAMA stands for Designated Area Migration Agreement. It is a deal between the Australian Government and a state, territory or regional body. It is not a visa on its own.
The deal lets employers in a region hire overseas workers for more jobs than the standard skilled migration list allows.
Workers then get one of three visas under the deal: the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494), or the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
You cannot apply on your own. Your employer must be endorsed first. There are 13 DAMAs across Australia, and each region has its own rules and job list.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Dama Visa? The 4 Steps
Endorsement:
Your employer applies first to the regional body for that area. This body is called the Designated Area Representative, or DAR.
Waiting times differ by region. Far North Queensland says a complete request is usually assessed in under 10 business days. Townsville aims for 20 working days. Western Australia reported 20 working days for decision-ready requests in July 2026.
So plan for about 2 to 4 weeks. A request with missing details takes longer.
Labour Agreement:
Next, your employer asks Home Affairs for a labour agreement. This is done online through ImmiAccount, using the DAR endorsement letter.
Home Affairs does not publish a fixed time for this step. A clear and complete request moves faster.
Once approved, the agreement generally lasts five years.
Nomination:
The employer then nominates the job for the worker. For subclass 482 nominations, Home Affairs reported that half were decided within 36 days. Nine in ten were decided within 9 months.
Visa Stage:
Last comes the visa decision. Home Affairs published these times for the labour agreement pathway on 2 November 2026:
- Subclass 482: half decided within 6 months, nine in ten within 10 months
- Subclass 494: half decided within 86 days, nine in ten within 13 months
- Subclass 186: half decided within 44 days, nine in ten within 13 months
The gap between the two numbers is big. A complete application sits near the fast end. One that needs extra papers sits near the slow end.
Time Table
| Step | Who handles it | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Employer endorsement | Employer and regional body (DAR) | About 2 to 4 weeks, depending on region |
| 2. Labour agreement request | Employer and Home Affairs | No fixed time published |
| 3. Nomination (subclass 482) | Employer and Home Affairs | Half within 36 days, nine in ten within 9 months |
| 4a. Visa: subclass 482 | You and Home Affairs | Half within 6 months, nine in ten within 10 months |
| 4b. Visa: subclass 494 | You and Home Affairs | Half within 86 days, nine in ten within 13 months |
| 4c. Visa: subclass 186 | You and Home Affairs | Half within 44 days, nine in ten within 13 months |
| Whole journey (our estimate) | All parties | About 6 to 12 months, sometimes longer |
The last row is our planning estimate. We added the steps together. Your own case can be faster or slower.
Delays:
These are the common reasons a case slows down:
- The endorsement request is incomplete or unclear
- The employer cannot show a real effort to hire Australians first
- Home Affairs asks for more information and waits for your reply
- Health or police checks are not ready
- The job’s industry is already covered by an Industry Labour Agreement, so a DAMA is not endorsed
- Home Affairs works through skilled visas in a set priority order, so some groups are decided before others
An endorsement also does not guarantee approval. Home Affairs still makes its own decision on the labour agreement and the visa.
Speed Tips
- Check that your job is on that region’s DAMA list before anything else
- Have your employer keep proof of local recruitment ready
- Lodge each step complete, with every paper attached
- Book health checks and police certificates early
- Reply to any Home Affairs request quickly and in full
FAQs:
Can I apply for a DAMA visa by myself?
No. Your employer must get endorsed by the regional body first.
Where can I check the latest times?
Home Affairs updates its global processing times every month. Check the page linked below before you plan around a date.
Which regions have a DAMA?
There are 13 DAMAs. Home Affairs lists each one, with a link to the regional body that runs it.
Need Help?
A complete application is the best way to save time. Our team at Asia Pacific Group (APG) can help you prepare one. We are MARA-registered migration agents, not lawyers, and we explain each step in plain language.
Official sources:
- Home Affairs: Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
- Home Affairs: Global visa processing times
- Home Affairs: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Important: This article provides general information only. Visa requirements, charges and processing times change, and your eligibility depends on your individual circumstances. Always check the latest information on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you make a visa application. For advice about your situation, consider speaking with a registered migration agent or qualified legal professional.
