Employer Sponsored

Labour Agreements: Sponsor Roles the Standard Program Won't Cover.

Sometimes the role you need to fill doesn't fit the standard sponsorship rules - the occupation isn't on the list, or the requirements don't match your reality. A labour agreement can be the way through, letting you sponsor on terms negotiated for your situation.

For off-list occupationsConcessions are possibleNegotiated for your situation

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What a Labour Agreement Is

A different, negotiated set of rules for situations the standard program doesn't handle well.

A labour agreement is a formal arrangement between a business or industry and the government that allows sponsoring overseas workers on terms outside the standard program. Where the usual rules say no, a labour agreement can sometimes say yes - by covering occupations not on the standard lists, or by allowing concessions on salary, skills or English where there's a genuine case for it.

It's not a shortcut around the rules. It's a negotiated framework for situations the mainstream visas can't meet. For businesses with a real and ongoing need, it can be the difference between filling a role and going without.

The Main Types

Different forms for different situations.

Company-specific agreements - tailored to a single business with a particular and ongoing need
Industry agreements - with set terms for occupations common to a whole sector
Designated area agreements - covering a region and its specific labour shortages
Project and other specialised agreements for particular circumstances

If you're in WA, start with the DAMA. Western Australia's Designated Area Migration Agreement is a type of labour agreement built for the state - and it's often the most accessible route to off-list occupations and concessions for WA employers. See how the WA DAMA works →

Comparing the Types

Which form fits your situation.

The right type depends on whether your need is unique to your business, shared across your industry, or tied to a region. As a rough guide:

Type	Use when	Setup effort
Company-specific	Your need is particular to your business and the standard program and existing agreements don't cover it	Highest - negotiated from scratch with the government, so generally the longest to set up
Industry	The shortage is common across your whole sector and the terms are already pre-set	Lower - you opt in to settled terms rather than negotiating your own
Designated area (incl. WA DAMA)	You operate in a region with recognised shortages and want off-list occupations or concessions	Lower - you sponsor under an agreement that already exists for the area
Project and specialised	A defined project or special circumstance needs workers the usual rules can't supply	Varies with the project's scope and the terms involved

Off-list occupations and concessions are where these earn their keep. Where there's a genuine case, a labour agreement can open up occupations that aren't on the standard lists and, depending on the agreement and your circumstances [WA-specific for the DAMA], allow concessions on salary, skills or English. None of these are fixed or automatic - they are negotiated or settled into each agreement, so what's possible varies. We'll tell you what applies to your situation.

When It's Worth Considering

Suited to genuine, continuing needs - not a single hire.

A labour agreement is worth a look when the standard program keeps saying no - when your occupation isn't covered, when the salary or skills settings don't fit your industry, or when you have an ongoing need that one-off sponsorships can't satisfy. It takes more to set up than a standard sponsorship, so it's suited to a genuine, enduring need. Where a role does fit the mainstream rules, a 482 employer sponsorship under a standard business sponsorship is usually the simpler route, and a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa may suit regional placements. Whichever path you take, the same sponsor obligations and ongoing duties apply once you're approved. Our fees depend on your circumstances and we set them out in writing before you commit.

Common Questions

Labour agreement questions.

My occupation isn't on the standard list. Can I still sponsor?

Possibly - and this is exactly what labour agreements are built for. Where an occupation falls outside the standard lists, an agreement (including the WA DAMA) may make sponsoring it possible. It depends on a genuine need and the right circumstances, but it's well worth checking before you assume the role can't be filled from overseas.

What concessions can a labour agreement give?

Depending on the agreement, concessions can apply to salary thresholds, skills or experience requirements, English levels, or in some cases the pathway to permanent residence. They exist to reflect genuine industry or regional realities. We'll look at which concessions might apply to your situation and whether they make a real difference for you.

How long does a labour agreement take to set up?

Generally longer than a standard sponsorship, because it involves negotiating terms with the government. That's why it suits ongoing needs rather than a single urgent hire. Using an existing agreement like the WA DAMA is usually quicker than negotiating a new company-specific one. We'll give you a realistic timeline for your situation.

Is it worth it for just one worker?

For a single hire, the effort of a company-specific agreement often isn't worth it - an existing agreement like the WA DAMA may be the better fit. But if you have a continuing need for an occupation the standard program won't cover, an agreement can pay for itself many times over. We'll tell you honestly whether it stacks up for you.

Can we negotiate a labour agreement specifically for our business?

Yes, a company-specific agreement is possible where you can show a genuine, ongoing need that the standard program and existing agreements don't meet. It's the most flexible option because the terms are tailored to you, but it's also the most involved - you negotiate those terms directly with the government, so it generally takes longer to put in place than opting in to an existing arrangement like the WA DAMA. For many WA employers the DAMA is the faster way in, and we'll help you weigh the two against your real timeline.

What's the difference between an industry agreement and a company-specific one?

An industry agreement applies across a whole sector with terms that are already set, so you opt in to occupations and concessions agreed for the industry rather than negotiating your own. A company-specific agreement is tailored to a single business: it takes longer to negotiate but can offer more flexibility for needs that are particular to you. Which one fits depends on whether your shortage is shared across your industry or unique to your operation.

Can overseas workers move to permanent residency through a labour agreement?

In some cases, yes - a number of agreements include a pathway to permanent residence, but this varies a great deal from one agreement to another and depends on its specific terms and the worker's circumstances. It isn't automatic and shouldn't be assumed. Because the settings differ so much, this is something we'd assess for your particular agreement and situation rather than promise up front.

What happens if our labour agreement is refused or expires?

It isn't the end of the road. If an application is refused, there's usually scope to address the reasons and reapply, or to look at whether an existing agreement such as the WA DAMA covers what you need. If an agreement expires, renewal may be possible where the need continues. And if the role later fits the mainstream rules, a 482 employer sponsorship under a standard business sponsorship can become the simpler route. We'll map out the fallbacks before you're left without options.

Related Help

Where to from here.

WA-specificWA DAMAWestern Australia's own designated area agreement.Standard sponsorshipStandard Business SponsorshipFor roles that do fit the standard program.All employer optionsEmployer Sponsored OverviewEvery employer-sponsored pathway.

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

Told a role can't be sponsored?

Let us check whether a labour agreement or the WA DAMA opens it back up.