Bridging the Gap in the Australian Labour Market
When standard visa pathways do not fit your operational needs, Immilex helps you understand whether a labour agreement is the right framework for your business and workforce requirements.
Understand Pathways for Labour Agreements
Labour Agreements are five-year formal contracts between an employer and the Australian Government.
They are utilised when a business has a demonstrated need for skilled overseas workers that cannot be met by the Australian labour market and where standard streams under visa programs (such as the standard 482 or 186 lists) are unavailable or insufficient.
Why your Business needs a Labour Agreement
- Access to Certain Occupations: Sponsor occupations that are not found on standard skilled lists.
- Customised Concessions: Negotiate terms for English proficiency, age limits, and salary (TSMIT) benchmarks.
- Direct PR Pathways: Secure long-term stability via the 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) and 494 (Regional) visa streams.
Key Requirements For Approval:
- Business Standing: Proof of lawful and active operation in Australia for at least 12 months, supported by financial viability audits (BAS, Tax Returns, and Profit/Loss statements).
- Labour Market Testing (LMT): Evidence of extensive, genuine attempts to recruit Australian citizens or permanent residents first.
- Stakeholder Consultation: Demonstrated engagement with relevant industry bodies and unions.
- Workforce Ratio: For company-specific agreements, overseas workers generally must not exceed one-third of your total workforce.
Explore the DAMA network
DAMAs offer the most flexible concessions to respond to unique local economic conditions. Immilex assists businesses in securing endorsements across all active DAMA regions:
DAMA is currently active in the following 13 places:
South Australia Regional, SA: Skilled & Business Migration
Adelaide City Technology stream, SA: Skilled & Business Migration
East Kimberley, WA: East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Pilbara, WA: RDA Pilbara
South West, WA: Shire of Dardanup
The Goldfields, WA: City of Kalgoorlie Boulder
Western Australia: Department of Training and Workforce Development
Far North Queensland, QLD: Cairns Chamber of Commerce
Townsville, QLD: Townsville Enterprise Limited
Goulburn Valley, VIC: Goulburn Valley
Great South Coast, VIC: Warrnambool City Council
Northern Territory, NT: Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement
Orana, NSW: Regional Development Australia - Orana, NSW
Visa Sponsorship Simplified
Navigating a Labour Agreement requires a detailed understanding of both Departmental policy and industry standards. Contact us to discuss a tailored migration roadmap for your business.
STEP 1
Strategic Fit
We review your organisation to confirm if a Company, Industry, or DAMA route is the most viable "fit."
STEP 2
Evidence Mapping
We compile the "System of Record," including financial viability audits (BAS, Profit/Loss) and proof of Labour Market Testing (LMT).
STEP 3
Stakeholder Engagement
We manage the mandatory 10-day consultation process with unions and industry bodies on your behalf.
STEP 4
Execution & Management
We handle the online lodgement via ImmiAccount and manage the subsequent nomination and visa stages (482, 494, and 186) once the agreement is in effect.
Visa options under Labour Agreements
We assist businesses in understanding the range of employer-sponsored visa pathways available, helping you plan for both short-term hiring needs and longer-term workforce stability while staying aligned with sponsorship requirements.
Subclass 494 (SESR)
A provisional visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an employer to live and work in regional Australia. It lasts for five years and provides a dedicated pathway to permanent residency.
Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand)
A temporary visa that allows employers to bring in overseas professionals to fill roles that cannot be filled by the local Australian workforce. It features three streams (Specialist, Core, and Essential) tailored to different salary and skill levels.
Experience the difference that specialised expertise, genuine care, and rigorous process make to your immigration outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There is no cost to request a Labour Agreement. Fees only apply at the nomination and visa application stages.
Processing times vary based on the complexity of the case and the completeness of the documentation provided at lodgement.
Yes, in certain circumstances, foreign organisations operating lawfully in Australia can access specific agreement streams.
You must lodge a fresh request in ImmiAccount to renew your status as an approved sponsor under a Labour Agreement.
Agreements can be varied; however, this requires a fresh assessment. We help you plan for future growth to minimise the need for mid-term variations.
No. Industry agreements have set terms and conditions to ensure a level playing field across the sector.