Does the NT DAMA include more occupations than skilled migration?

In many cases, the NT DAMA includes occupations that may not be available through standard skilled migration pathways.

Can offshore applicants apply under the NT DAMA?

Yes. Overseas workers may be eligible if they secure sponsorship from an approved NT DAMA employer and satisfy visa requirements.

Is a job offer required for the NT DAMA?

Yes. The NT DAMA is an employer-sponsored migration pathway and generally requires sponsorship from an approved employer.

Does the NT DAMA provide a pathway to permanent residency?

Certain occupations and visa pathways under the NT DAMA may provide opportunities for permanent residency, subject to eligibility requirements.

NT DAMA Occupation List 2026

Q: What is the NT DAMA Occupation List?

The NT DAMA Occupation List is a collection of occupations approved under the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement for eligible employer sponsorship.

Last Update: 1 June 2026

Northern Territory DAMA Occupation List

The Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) Occupation List identifies 325 skilled and semi-skilled occupations available for employer-sponsored migration to the Northern Territory.

The NT DAMA Occupation List covers roles across a wide range of industries where the NT has ongoing workforce shortages.

The NT DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program. An individual worker cannot apply directly under the NT DAMA. You must find a Northern Territory employer who will sponsor you.

If you are looking for the General Skilled Migration occupation lists, see the NT Occupation List for an overview of all NT-specific lists, or the NT Offshore Migration Occupation List if you are applying from outside Australia without an employer sponsor.

Visa Programs Available Under the NT DAMA

Overseas workers nominated under the NT DAMA Occupation List can be sponsored for the following visa programs:

Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa — a 4-year temporary work visa
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa — a 5-year provisional visa with a pathway to permanent residency
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa — a permanent visa for those eligible for the permanent residence pathway

How to Read the NT DAMA Occupation List

Each occupation on the NT DAMA Occupation List has been assigned a category from A to P based on the qualifications and experience requirements that an overseas worker must meet to be sponsored in that occupation. Refer to the qualifications and experience requirements on the NT Government website for the full details of each category.

The list also shows whether each occupation has the following concessions:

English concession — a lower English language requirement applies for that occupation
Age concession — a higher maximum age limit applies for that occupation (shown as the applicable age, for example "Yes — 55")

Not all occupations have all concessions available. Check the NT DAMA Occupation List carefully for the specific concessions and category that apply to your occupation before applying.

Note on non-ANZSCO occupations: Some occupations on the NT DAMA Occupation List carry ANZSCO code 070499. These occupations have been created outside of the standard Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. For a description of tasks and required skills for these occupations, refer to the concessions available page on the NT Government website.

Note on industry labour agreements: If your business is able to use an industry labour agreement to sponsor overseas workers for an occupation on this list, you will not be able to use the NT DAMA for that same occupation. For details on industry labour agreements, refer to the Department of Home Affairs website.

Industries and Occupations on the NT DAMA List

The NT DAMA Occupation List covers 325 occupations across industries critical to the Northern Territory's economy, including:

Hospitality and food services
- Accommodation and Hospitality Managers
- Baker
- Bar Attendant
- Bar Attendant Supervisor
- Barista
- and more
Health and aged care
- Aged or Disabled Carer
- Audiologist
- and more
Construction and trades
- Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
- Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
- Autoglazier
- Automotive Electrician
- and more
Aviation and transport
- Aeroplane Pilot
- Aircraft Baggage Handler and Airline Ground Crew
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
- and more
Agriculture and primary industries
- Apiarist
- Aquaculture Farmer
- Aquaculture Supervisor
- Aquaculture Worker
- Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
- Backhoe Operator
- and more
Professional and business services
- Accountant (General)
- Accounts Clerk
- Architect
- Architectural Draftsperson
- and more

The full list of 325 occupations is available in the table above.

How the NT DAMA Occupation List Is Developed

The NT DAMA Occupation List may be reviewed and updated annually by agreement between the NT Government and the Australian Government.

The annual review is informed by:

the NT Skilled Occupations Priority List (NTSOPL), which is used as the base from which the NT DAMA Occupation List is developed
other labour market intelligence including submissions received from industry peak bodies

To provide feedback on occupation shortages in the NT, contact the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT).

ISACNT undertakes labour market analysis and provides recommendations to the NT Government to inform the NTSOPL.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NT DAMA Occupation List?

The NT DAMA Occupation List is the list of 325 skilled and semi-skilled occupations available for employer-sponsored migration to the Northern Territory under the NT Designated Area Migration Agreement. Overseas workers nominated under this list can be sponsored for a subclass 482, subclass 494 or subclass 186 visa. An individual worker cannot apply under the NT DAMA directly — they must be sponsored by a Northern Territory employer.

Can I apply under the NT DAMA without an employer sponsor?

No. The NT DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program. An individual worker cannot apply directly under the NT DAMA. You must find a Northern Territory employer who will sponsor you for a position on the NT DAMA Occupation List.

How many occupations are on the NT DAMA Occupation List?

The NT DAMA Occupation List covers 325 occupations across skilled and semi-skilled roles in industries including hospitality, health, construction, agriculture, aviation, and professional services.

How often is the NT DAMA Occupation List updated?

The NT DAMA Occupation List may be reviewed and updated annually by agreement between the NT Government and the Australian Government. The annual review is informed by the NT Skilled Occupations Priority List (NTSOPL) and other labour market intelligence, including submissions from industry peak bodies.

What are the qualification and experience categories (A to P) on the list?

Each occupation on the NT DAMA Occupation List has been assigned a category from A to P based on the qualifications and experience an overseas worker must demonstrate to be sponsored in that occupation. The requirements differ between categories. Refer to the qualifications and experience requirements page on the NT Government website for the full details of each category.

What does the English concession mean on the NT DAMA list?

An English concession means a lower English language requirement applies for that specific occupation. Not all occupations on the NT DAMA Occupation List have an English concession. Check the list for whether a concession applies to your occupation.

What does the age concession mean on the NT DAMA list?

An age concession means a higher maximum age limit applies for visa eligibility in that occupation. The age concession is shown in the list as the applicable age limit, for example "Yes — 55". Not all occupations have an age concession. Check the list for the specific age concession that applies to your occupation.

What are the non-ANZSCO occupations on the NT DAMA list?

Some occupations on the NT DAMA Occupation List have been created outside of the standard ANZSCO classification and carry ANZSCO code 070499. For a description of tasks and required skills for these non-ANZSCO occupations, refer to the concessions available page on the NT Government website.

What is the NTSOPL and how does it relate to the NT DAMA Occupation List?

The NT Skilled Occupations Priority List (NTSOPL) is the base document from which the NT DAMA Occupation List is developed. The NTSOPL is informed by labour market analysis undertaken by the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT), which provides recommendations to the NT Government on occupations facing workforce shortages in the Territory.

My occupation is on the NT DAMA list — can I also apply under the General Skilled Migration program?

Possibly. If your occupation also appears on the relevant skilled occupation list for the General Skilled Migration program, you may be eligible to apply for NT nomination under a subclass 491 or subclass 190 pathway. Check the NT Occupation List to see which pathway suits your situation.

Related Migration Pathways

Applying without an employer sponsor? If you are applying from overseas under the General Skilled Migration program, check whether your occupation is on the NT Offshore Migration Occupation List. NT Offshore Migration Occupation List

Already living in the NT? Review the eligibility requirements for NT residents and NT graduates applying for a subclass 190 or 491 nomination. NT Nomination Eligibility

Want to understand all NT occupation lists? NT Occupation List

Have questions about NT nomination? Common Questions About NT Nomination