Western Australia's Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
- support77697
- Jul 5, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 25
In Western Australia (WA), businesses facing shortages in skilled labor have a unique pathway to bolster their workforce through Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). These agreements, managed by the Department of Training and Workforce Development's Migration Services, enable businesses in specific regional areas to recruit skilled migrants under tailored conditions and concessions.
What is DAMA and DAR?
DAMAs are labor agreements tailored to address unique economic and labor market needs in designated regional areas, crafted collaboratively by businesses, the Australian Federal Government, and Designated Area Representatives (DARs), including regional bodies like Chambers of Commerce or Shire Councils.
Designated Area Representatives authorized by Home Affairs oversee and manage the DAMA program, endorsing businesses, monitoring local labor trends, guiding application processes, and endorsing businesses to Home Affairs for Labor Agreements.
WA DAMA
Businesses looking to expand their workforce through the WA DAMA must first obtain endorsement from Migration Services, the authorized DAR. This agreement allows eligible businesses facing recruitment challenges to hire skilled migrants via three visa pathways: Temporary Skills Shortage (subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494), and Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186).
REGIONAL DAMAS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Starting July 1, 2024, the WA DAMA and four regional agreements (Goldfields, Kimberley, Pilbara, South West) aim to meet local workforce demands and spur economic growth. WA DAMA offers 5,000 migration places for the current financial year, evenly split between metro and regional employers, prioritizing critical sectors like construction, health, and aged care. Regional DAMAs target local needs, boosting business opportunities statewide.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To participate in a DAMA, businesses must meet stringent criteria:
1. Evidence of operation:
Provide registration details (names, ABN/ACN, company/trust documents if applicable). Evidence of WA establishment (addresses, property proof).
Details of nominated business representative (name, contact, ID).
Financial documents (audited statements, accountant's letter, financial metrics).
Capability statements, promotional materials, and business plans.
Compliance history (no adverse findings in past 5 years or disclosed investigations).
2. Evidence of workforce needs:
Provide registration and establishment evidence for SMER access.
Demonstrate genuine skilled migrant needs with current workforce details, economic plans, and past endorsements.
Metro businesses must meet Home Affairs' 50% local employment requirement.
Each position needs ANZSCO code, visa details, job description, terms, business case, workforce plans, and impact assessments for unfilled roles.
Ensure equal employment conditions and conduct LMT within 12 months of application.
3. Concessions: Through the WA DAMA, eligible businesses can access concessions under Commonwealth Migration Legislation to sponsor skilled migrants and grant visa applications. It defines two regions: Perth Metropolitan (Skill Levels 1-3, some Skill Level 4 and non-ANZSCO roles) and Regional (Skill Levels 1-3, Skill Level 4, and industry-specific roles), offering a streamlined pathway to permanent residency with reduced work experience requirements compared to Perth Metropolitan.
Occupation Distribution:
Perth Metropolitan - 50% of places are allocated
Regional- 50% of places allocated
Work Experience Concessions:
TSS visa: 1 year relevant full-time or part-time equivalent.
SESR or ENS visa (Regional WA): 2 years relevant full-time or part-time equivalent.
SESR or ENS visa (Perth): 3 years relevant full-time.
Age Concession:
The age limit increased to 55 years.
English Language Proficiency:
IELTS 5.0 minimum requirement.
Skill Level 1-2 occupations: Standard requirements.
Skill Level 3-4 (TSS/SESR): IELTS 5.0 overall.
Skill Level 3-4 (ENS): IELTS 5.0 overall, no band score below 4.0.
Endorsement for ENS (subclass 186 visa):
The nominated occupation must be listed under WA DAMA.
The Employee must have lived and worked in Perth for 3 years or Regional WA for 2 years.
Occupation must align with the employee's WA experience under a TSS visa.
Full-time employment offer for at least 2 years, extendable to permanent.
The ENS pathway is exclusively available to skilled migrants initially nominated under WA DAMA, with no labor market testing requirement.
4. Endorsement Validity Period:
WA DAMA endorsements remain valid for 12 months from issuance, requiring businesses to adhere to submission deadlines for timely processing and compliance with visa requirements. Initiating applications promptly is crucial to maintain eligibility.
BENEFITS AND IMPLICATIONS
The WA DAMA, combined with the State Nominated Migration Program, significantly enhances the state's capacity to address critical workforce shortages by allowing up to 10,000 overseas workers annually to settle in WA. This proactive approach not only supports local businesses but also fosters economic growth and development in regional areas.
OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Once endorsed by a DAR, businesses must comply with sponsorship obligations, including providing terms and conditions of employment equivalent to Australian standards, conducting labor market testing (where applicable), and attending to settlement requirements for nominated skilled migrants.
OCCUPATION LISTS
The WA DAMA and existing State Nominated Migration Program enable the settlement of up to 10,000 overseas workers in WA, addressing critical workforce shortages. These job lists prioritize roles essential to WA's requirements, qualifying them for skilled migrant placements.
can HR manager or Hotel manager get sponsorship?
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