Important update on the NT DAMA program

The agreement between the Northern Territory and Australian governments for the NT DAMA II program expired on 13 December 2024.

A new Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA III) has been executed between the Northern Territory and Australian governments on 19 March 2025.

The new agreement features an expanded occupation list, more nomination places and streamlined applications processes for NT employers.

Updates to this website and the online application portal to reflect the NT DAMA III are currently underway and will be made available shortly.

It is expected that the online application portal will open for new endorsement applications under NT DAMA III by 31 March 2025.

The program remains suspended for new endorsement applications while we transition to the new NT DAMA III.

Read the following important information about the transition.

Endorsement applications

• All new and subsequent endorsement applications received by MigrationNT prior to the expiry of NT DAMA II have been finalised.
• The online system will be open for new endorsement applications by 31 March 2025 once the NT DAMA III program is operational.

Labour agreement and nomination applications

• NT businesses endorsed under NT DAMA II by 13 December 2024 can continue to lodge labour agreement requests and nomination applications with the Department of Home Affairs. These requests and applications will continue to be assessed.

Skills assessments

• Skills assessment applications will continue to be accepted for endorsed positions under NT DAMA II and will continue to be assessed after NT DAMA II expires.

Transitioning to a new NT DAMA III

• After the NT DAMA III is operational, detailed information about the new settings and application processes will be provided via our website.
• Businesses with existing labour agreements under NT DAMA II can continue to lodge nomination applications under their approved ceilings.
• Businesses with existing labour agreements under NT DAMA II who require additional ceiling places or would like to access new occupations/concessions available under NT DAMA III, will need to lodge a new endorsement application for a NT DAMA III labour agreement once the application portal opens.
• Although the portal currently does not accept new endorsement applications, NT businesses may start collating the documentation required for DAMA III. Refer to this website for the documentation requirements noting that this may change once the new DAMA III is operational.

Should you have any queries, contact MigrationNT by email migration@nt.gov.au or call  08 8999 5264.

Access the NT DAMA online portal