GV migration program to fill local workers

Goulburn Valley Designated Area Migration Agreement (GV DAMA)

GV DAMA is a migration program for the Goulburn Valley region (e.g. Shepparton, Moira, Campaspe). It will allows businesses to sponsor overseas skilled and semi-skilled workers in occupations that aren’t usually eligible under standard skilled migration. There is a dedicated ‘Approved Occupations’ like (56 roles with ANZSCO skills levels from 1-5). Each skill level has a Qualifications and Experience requirements for workers to meet to be able to qualify.

1. Who can apply?

Your business must:

• Need a job that’s on the GV DAMA occupation list. The list covers skilled and some semi-skilled roles. See a full list of approved occupations and the qualifications and experience requirements here – https://www.gvdama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GV-DAMA-Approved-Occupation-List-2025.pdf

• Have traded legally in the Goulburn Valley for at least 12 months and meet “good corporate citizen” rules (tax, workplace laws, etc.). 

• Offer a full-time, genuine job located in the region. 

• Show you tried to hire Australians first (labour-market testing). 

• Pay fair wages. Either meet the national salary floor (TSMIT) or an approved 10 % concession, and match what locals earn for the same work. 

• Pass the “adverse information” check (no serious breaches of law). 

• Understand the costs and obligations. Fees can’t be passed to the worker. 

If you tick every box, you’re probably eligible, but each case is judged on its own facts.

2. How the approval works

Talk to the Designated Area Representative (DAR).

Submit a “Request for Endorsement” form with a simple declaration (evidence is supplied later to Home Affairs).

The DAR checks that:

1. • your job and any concessions are still available;

   • annual quota numbers aren’t full;

   • your request fits local labour-market needs; and

   • you completed the declaration honestly.

Once endorsed, you apply to the Department of Home Affairs for the actual labour agreement and nominate the worker

3. What does it cost?

• Endorsement fee: $750 per worker, paid to the DAR.

• Other likely costs: job advertising, Home Affairs visa charges, and (optional) migration-agent fees.

Email gvdama@shepparton.vic.gov.au or call (03) 5832 9700 and speak with the GV DAMA team for more information. See the website for more details here – https://www.gvdama.com.au/eligibility/