Labour agreements enable approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market and where options under the standard temporary or permanent visa programs are not available.

Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government and employers. A labour agreement is valid for 5 years and enables the lodgment of the following visas under the labour agreement:

• Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482)
• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)

Different types of labour agreements include:

• Company Specific labour agreements
• Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
• Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements
• Industry labour agreements
• Project agreements

There are currently ten Industry Labour Agreements in place:

• Advertising
• Aged care
• Diary
• Fishing
• Horticulture
• Meat
• Minister of Religion
• On-hire
• Pork
• Restaurant (premium dining)