Employers in Far North Queensland can sponsor overseas workers through the FNQ DAMA.
Learn how endorsement, labour agreements, compliance and visa nominations work — and how Tolic Lawyers can help your business access skilled and semi-skilled migrants.
What Is the FNQ DAMA?
The Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA) is a special program allowing regional employers to sponsor overseas skilled and semi-skilled workers where local labour shortages exist.
It covers industries such as hospitality, health care, construction, agriculture, tourism, and aged care across the region — including Cairns, Mareeba, Douglas, the Tablelands, Cook Shire, Torres Shire, and Weipa.
FNQ DAMA allows employers to fill critical workforce gaps by sponsoring overseas workers under flexible conditions, including:
- Access to occupations not on national lists
- English, age, and salary concessions
- Pathways to permanent residence (PR) for long-term retention
Who Can Use the FNQ DAMA?
To access the FNQ DAMA, a business must:
- Be actively operating in one of the eligible FNQ DAMA postcodes
- Have traded for at least 12 months
- Demonstrate a genuine labour shortage through recruitment and advertising efforts
- Offer terms and conditions equivalent to Australian employees
- Commit to ongoing compliance with sponsorship obligations
The FNQ DAMA is managed locally by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, acting as the Designated Area Representative (DAR) for the region.
Step-by-Step: How Employers Access the FNQ DAMA
Step 1 – Apply for Endorsement from the Cairns Chamber of Commerce
Submit an employer endorsement application with:
- Company details, financials, and ABN proof
- Evidence of recruitment efforts and unfilled roles
- Justification for needing overseas workers
- Details of proposed occupations and salary levels
Once approved, you’ll receive an endorsement letter allowing you to proceed with a labour agreement request.
Step 2 – Apply for a Labour Agreement
With the endorsement, the employer applies to the Department of Home Affairs for a Labour Agreement under the FNQ DAMA.
You’ll outline:
- Occupations and number of positions
- Concessions requested (e.g. age limit, English level, CSIT salary)
- Business compliance and workforce strategy
The approved labour agreement is generally valid for five years and can be amended as your business needs change.
Step 3 – Nominate and Sponsor Overseas Workers
Once your Labour Agreement is approved:
- You can nominate overseas workers under visa subclasses 482 (Skills in Demand), 494 (Regional Provisional), or 186 (Permanent Residence).
- Each worker must meet the visa criteria but may receive DAMA concessions.
- You’ll support them in applying for their visa and ensure all sponsorship obligations are met.
Employer Obligations & Compliance
Employers under the FNQ DAMA must:
- Ensure salary and conditions match or exceed local market rates.
- Maintain accurate employment records.
- Notify the Department of any changes (e.g. termination, change of duties).
- Participate in compliance audits and cooperate with investigations.
- Protect overseas workers from exploitation or underpayment — non-compliance can lead to penalties and cancellation of your Labour Agreement.
Applicant Requirements (for Overseas Workers)
Overseas workers must:
- Be nominated by an approved employer under the FNQ DAMA.
- Meet health, character, and skill requirements for their nominated occupation.
- Work full-time in the designated area.
- Benefit from DAMA concessions such as:
- Lower English requirements
- Age concessions (up to 55 years for some roles)
- Salary concessions for regional occupations
- Remain with their sponsoring employer to access permanent residency pathways after the required service period.
Benefits of the FNQ DAMA
For Employers
Access a wider range of occupations, including regional and semi-skilled roles
Simplified sponsorship process with local support from Cairns Chamber of Commerce
Retention incentives through PR pathways for employees
Ability to grow your business despite local skill shortages
For Workers
Opportunity for permanent residency in a regional area
Reduced barriers (English, age, salary)
A long-term career and life in beautiful Far North Queensland
Why Employers Are Choosing the FNQ DAMA
Employers in Cairns, Mareeba, Cooktown, Weipa and the Torres region are increasingly using the FNQ DAMA because it directly responds to the ongoing labour shortages in the region’s critical industries.
The program not only secures the workforce you need — it strengthens regional development, supports local communities, and provides long-term stability for your business.
Need Help Accessing the FNQ DAMA? Let’s Make It Simple.
If you’re an employer in Far North Queensland struggling to fill roles or understand how to access the FNQ DAMA, our migration team can handle every step — from endorsement to labour agreement and visa nominations.
At Tolic Lawyers, we help FNQ businesses:
- Prepare compliant employer endorsement applications
- Draft and lodge Labour Agreements
- Manage visa nominations and DAMA compliance
- Provide strategic advice on pathways to permanent residency for your staff
Servicing Employers Across Far North Queensland
Cairns | Douglas | Mareeba | Tablelands | Cooktown | Weipa | Torres Shire
The Far North Queensland DAMA gives regional employers the power to solve labour shortages and grow sustainably — while offering overseas workers real pathways to settle in the region.
If you’re an FNQ employer ready to take advantage of this unique opportunity, Tolic Lawyers can guide you every step of the way — from compliance to successful sponsorship.
