Designated Area Migration Agreements known as DAMA's are an often overlooked pathway to permanent residency. Yes, you do need to find an employer who is willing to sponsor you but there are many out there in these regions who are willing to do so.
It is really best placed for those visa holders who are onshore already holding visas that give them permission to work anywhere such as 485 and Working Holiday visas. For offshore potential applicants, it would be difficult to secure a sponsor but not impossible.
You can check out the Immigration Departments web site which has the current DAMA's listed. More are being added in the near future so keep checking;
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas...