In what may be the last act by the current Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) were signed late last week for Warrnambool, Orana and South Australia. With an election looming, these agreements formalise negotiations between State and Federal Governments so local businesses can use Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visas to fill critical skill shortages not covered by the standard business sponsor program.

Three new Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) of five years in duration were confirmed yesterday: two for South Australia and one for Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia. These agreements were made to arrest population decline and fill critical skill shortages not covered by the Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa program under a standard business sponsorship.