Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) – What Employers Need to Know

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) allow regional Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers under concessional visa arrangements. Learn how DAMAs work, where they apply, and what employers need to know.

What is a DAMA? A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a state, territory, or regional authority. Each DAMA runs for up to five years and is designed to address chronic and region-specific labour shortages by allowing employers to sponsor overseas workers under concessional arrangements not available […]

482/TSS condition 8501: your health insurance, made simple

Medicare card and OVHC certificate on a desk with a calendar note reading “No gaps” — condition 8501 health insurance for 482 visa holders.

What condition 8501 requires If your 482/TSS visa carries condition 8501, you must maintain adequate health insurance the whole time you are in Australia. The Department summarises 8501 this way: “the visa holder must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while the holder is in Australia.” This duty applies to each visa holder who has […]

2025 Occupation Shortage List Australia: Workforce & Migration Strategy Insights

2025 Occupation Shortage List

Australia’s 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) reveals that while labour market pressure has eased slightly, critical workforce shortages remain across healthcare, education, construction and skilled trades. For employers planning workforce and migration strategy in 2025, these insights provide a clear signal: labour market conditions are stabilising, but the talent pipeline is still insufficient in nationally […]

Subclass 482 Visa: New English Test Rules from 13 Sept 2025

New English Language Requirements for Subclass 482

On 8 September 2025, the Department of Home Affairs released the Migration (English Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visas) Instrument 2025 under the Migration Regulations 1994. This legislative change comes into effect on Monday, 13 September 2025, and introduces updated English language requirements for applicants under the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) – Specialist […]

A Comprehensive Guide to Parent Visas for Australian Permanent Residents and Citizens

A Comprehensive Guide to Parent Visas for Australian Permanent Residents and Citizens

As family ties remain an integral part of life, many Australian permanent residents and citizens seek ways of bringing their parents to Australia. Parent visas allow families to reunite and create opportunities for parents to live with their children in Australia. At Roam Migration Law, we’re committed to helping you navigate the complexities of Australian […]

Changes to Health Requirements for Children Born in Australia – Migration Amendment

Migration Amendment (PIC 4005 and PIC 4007)

The Australian government recently announced a Migration Amendment (Public Interest Criteria 4005 and 4007) Regulations 2024. Commencing on 16 October 2024, the Department of Home Affairs Public Interest Criteria has changed concerning minor visa applicants (children under 18) who were born in Australia and ordinarily reside in Australia. Under this amendment, these children will no […]

An Important Legal Update to the Subclass 400 Visa (Policy Change)

Permitted Activities on a Business Visitor Visa

The subclass 400 visa is commonly used by businesses that need workers in Australia on a short-term basis to complete non-ongoing highly specialised work. The visa can be granted for up to 3 or 6 months, depending on the business case put to the Department, with the general expectation being the ‘non-ongoing’ work will be […]

Top 10 Immigration Changes Effective July 1, 2024: An Overview

Top 10 Immigration Changes Effective July 1, 2024: An Overview

1 July 2024 marks the start of the new Migration Program year (2024/25) and this year, in particular, there are several significant changes. Here’s our top 10. Upcoming Lodgement Fee Increases: Starting the new financial year, the Department of Home Affairs is expected to increase lodgement fees for various visa categories, with details to be […]

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