A Warrnambool processor had the whole plan mapped out. The occupation sat on the Great South Coast list, the shortage was real, and the shire was right. Then the industry agreement rule landed. Because an industry labour agreement already covered that industry, the DAMA route closed before the paperwork began.
Short answer: Victoria runs two DAMAs. The Great South Coast agreement covers six shires around Warrnambool and 113 approved occupations. The Goulburn Valley agreement covers three councils around Shepparton and 138. Your address decides which one you can ask for, and an existing industry agreement can still shut the door.
The rule that now bites before geography does
From 26 March 2026, a new restriction applies at the endorsement stage. An existing industry labour agreement can now block a DAMA endorsement. A DAR can endorse that occupation only where the worker will work in a different industry from the one the industry agreement covers.
In practice, employers inside a covered industry must use that industry agreement instead. So check the agreement landscape before you check the occupation list. Our guide to labour agreements for employers sets out the types and how they rank.
Two regions, two sets of terms
| Setting | Great South Coast | Goulburn Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Area Representative | Warrnambool City Council | Greater Shepparton City Council |
| Councils covered | Warrnambool, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac Otway, Glenelg, Southern Grampians | Greater Shepparton, Campaspe, Moira |
| Area also defined by | The six local government areas | Published postcodes, 3559 to 3730 |
| Approved occupations | 113 | 138, on the August 2026 list |
| Endorsement fee per worker, excluding GST | About $850 to $1,000, scaled by turnover | $750 |
| Salary concession | 90% of the threshold, types 1 and 2 | 90% of the threshold, types 1 and 2 |
| Age concession | Under 55 at skill levels 1 to 4, under 50 at skill level 5 | Under 55 at skill levels 1 to 4, under 50 at skill level 5 |
The Great South Coast fee needs a call before you budget. Warrnambool publishes about $850 to $1,000 per worker, scaled by turnover. Treat that as approximate and confirm the current amount with the DAR.
Where each agreement reaches
The Great South Coast region entered its agreement in March 2019. Only employers based in those six local government areas can request a labour agreement under it. South west Victoria drives that demand, so dairy, meat processing, health and hospitality feature heavily.
The Goulburn Valley agreement works on councils and postcodes together. Both the business and the position must sit inside the footprint. Our companion piece sets out the four checks a Goulburn Valley employer runs first.
What a Victorian DAMA can change
Both agreements move the same three levers. First, the occupation list reaches roles the standard program leaves out, including semi skilled work at skill level 5. Second, listed occupations carry an English concession. Third, listed occupations carry a reduced salary threshold.
The Great South Coast publishes its English settings clearly. For the subclass 482 and subclass 494, the concession is an overall IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component score. For the subclass 186, the average stays at 5.0 with no component below 4.0. Registration or licensing rules can still demand more.
Age moves too. On the subclass 494 and subclass 186, the limit lifts to 55 for skill level 1 to 4 roles. It sits at 50 for skill level 5 roles. Standard pathways stop at 45.
How does the reduced salary threshold work in practice?
The reduced threshold means 90 per cent of the income threshold, so about $71,480 against the 2026-27 figure of $79,423. It never replaces the annual market salary rate. You must pay the higher of the two, and the concession only applies to occupations flagged for it. Type 1 lets guaranteed overtime count towards earnings, and type 2 also allows quantifiable monetary and non monetary benefits.
What neither agreement changes
Three obligations survive every concession. First, you must still pay the annual market salary rate, and you cannot undercut an equivalent Australian. Second, you must show genuine recruitment effort before you look offshore.
Third, the sponsorship cost rules apply in full. The sponsorship, nomination and recruitment costs stay with your business. The Skilling Australians Fund levy runs at $1,200 or $1,800 a year on a subclass 482 nomination. Permanent and regional nominations attract a one off $3,000 or $5,000. Our guide to the costs you cannot pass on covers the penalties.
Endorsement covers years, not one hire
- EndorsementThe DAR can endorse a business for up to five years, across occupations and worker numbers.
- Forward planningWarrnambool endorses worker numbers across multiple years, which helps workforce planning.
- GrowthIf you need more workers or new occupations, you request a variation through the DAR.
- CeilingsEach region carries an annual ceiling, so early requests matter when demand runs high.
- NominationOnly after the labour agreement is signed do you lodge nominations and pay the levy.
Plan the permanent stage at the same time. The subclass 494 leads towards the subclass 191, and the subclass 186 pathway is set occupation by occupation. Our note on DAMA concessions and the permanent residence pathway explains the usual timing.
Frequently asked questions
An industry labour agreement covers our industry. Can we still use a DAMA?
Usually not for those occupations. Since 26 March 2026, a tighter rule applies. An occupation available under an existing industry labour agreement can be endorsed under a DAMA only where the worker works in a different industry. Employers inside the covered industry must use the relevant industry agreement instead.
We have sites near Warrnambool and near Shepparton. Can we use both agreements?
Yes, but you deal with each Designated Area Representative separately. Each endorsement covers positions inside that region, under that region’s occupation list and concessions. Budget for two endorsement fees, because the amounts differ between the two regions.
Which region is cheaper to enter?
Goulburn Valley publishes $750 excluding GST per worker for a request for endorsement. The Great South Coast publishes a higher range that scales with turnover. Home Affairs charges and the levy are identical in both regions, so the DAR fee is the only regional difference.
Does the English concession apply to every occupation on the list?
No. Each agreement flags the concession occupation by occupation. Some roles carry the salary concession without the English concession, and licensing rules can override both. Check the row for your exact ANZSCO code before you interview.
Can a worker approach a DAMA region directly?
No. A DAMA is an employer sponsored program, so individual workers cannot apply on their own. The worker needs an employer operating in the designated region under a labour agreement. That agreement must also name the occupation.
Verified as at 8 September 2026 against the Great South Coast DAMA pages published by Warrnambool City Council, and the Goulburn Valley DAMA pages published by Greater Shepparton City Council. Income thresholds and levies are the 2026-27 figures.
General information about Australian migration law as at 8 September 2026. Not legal advice. DAMA occupations, concessions and fees change at each review, and the outcome in any case turns on its own facts, so obtain advice before you act.