Hiring overseas OTs, physios and speech pathologists in regional Queensland

Written by Callum Trevorrow. Last checked 28 October 2026 against official sources.

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If you’re hiring in Far North Queensland, the FNQ DAMA labour agreement covers occupational therapists and physiotherapists, with an age concession to 55 for the 494 and 186, but not speech pathologists (Cairns Chamber of Commerce occupation list, July 2026). Endorsement costs A$885 per position for Chamber members or A$985 for non-members. Townsville has its own DAMA, but we haven’t been able to confirm whether its list covers allied health, so check with Townsville Enterprise first.

I spent more than three years in allied health workforce development for a large health region, so I know how health services plan, grade and recruit allied health, and I’ve walked overseas clinicians through working holiday and Skills in Demand visas alongside registered migration agents. Regional hiring adds options a city practice doesn’t have. This is general information. A registered migration agent should advise on whether a labour agreement suits your business, and we don’t prepare DAMA or visa documents.

The two Queensland DAMAs side by side

The FNQ list says it’s a summary and to check the current version before deciding. Do that.

How a DAMA works for an employer

Both DAMAs follow the same four stages:

1. Endorsement from the regional body. For Townsville, the request includes a form, a business declaration, a covering letter of up to 4 pages, position descriptions, an org chart and proof the business operates lawfully. Townsville Enterprise says it usually finalises requests within 20 working days.
2. Labour agreement request to Home Affairs, using the endorsement. For FNQ, it’s lodged in ImmiAccount and there’s no Home Affairs fee for the request.
3. Nomination of workers, within the caps in your agreement.
4. Visa application by the worker.

FNQ labour agreements are usually valid for up to 5 years. FNQ labour agreements usually run for up to 5 years and set caps on nominations; your migration agent can tell you whether one suits your business. The standard sponsorship fees and levy are on our sponsorship costs page.

By profession

For the registration route and timing for each therapist, see hiring an overseas occupational therapist, hiring an overseas speech pathologist and hiring an overseas physiotherapist.

Without a DAMA

• Standard 482 sponsorship works anywhere in Queensland, including regional areas. See sponsor obligations.
• Working holiday makers can work for the same employer for more than six months without permission in health, aged care and disability services (Home Affairs). If your role sits in one of those sectors, the six-month limit with one employer doesn’t apply. Home Affairs says this applies until the Government makes further decisions, so check it’s still in place before you plan around it, and confirm the role is covered.
• The clinician’s own pathway. Occupational therapist, physiotherapist and speech pathologist were all on Queensland’s onshore and offshore lists for state-nominated 190 and 491 visas in 2025–26. The 2026–27 program hadn’t opened at 27 October 2026. That’s the clinician’s application, not yours, but it can matter to a candidate weighing up a regional move.
• Queensland Health runs regional Hospital and Health Services including Cairns and Hinterland, Townsville, Mackay, Central Queensland, North West (Mount Isa), Central West (Longreach), South West (Roma) and Torres and Cape. Their pay scale is what your candidate will compare you with; see working for Queensland Health.

Relocation realities

What your new starter will face in their first weeks, from official Queensland sources:

• Renting: applications use the Residential Tenancies Authority’s approved form, and managers must offer at least one way to apply that doesn’t cost anything or force you onto a third-party platform. Applicants can give up to two documents each for identity, ability to pay and suitability, so offer an employment letter they can use.
• Bond: a maximum of four weeks’ rent for general tenancies, lodged with the RTA within 10 days.
• Driving: temporary visa holders don’t count as residents for Queensland’s licence transfer rule. Clinicians who get a resident visa need a Queensland licence after three months of living here. Home visits in a regional caseload make this worth sorting early.

Next step

If you’re hiring outside South East Queensland, tell us about the role and the town. We’ll tell you honestly how realistic an overseas hire is, and whether a DAMA, standard sponsorship or a working holiday hire is worth discussing with your migration agent.