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.
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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
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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.
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Age Concession:
The age limit increased to 55 years.
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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. Â
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.
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The ENS pathway is exclusively available to skilled migrants initially nominated under WA DAMA, with no labor market testing requirement.
4. Endorsement Validity Period: Â
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.
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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.
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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.
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Aeronautical Engineer | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | Architectural Draftsperson | Building and Engineering Technicians nec | Carpenter and Joiner | Civil Engineer | Construction Project Manager | Decarbonisation Advisor | Directional Driller | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson | Electronics Engineer | Exercise Physiologist | Flying Instructor | Glazier | Hotel Service Manager | Interpreter | Medical Laboratory Scientist | Metallurgist | Neurosurgeon | Ophthalmologist | Panelbeater | Plasterer | Production Manager (Mining) | Registered Nurse nec | Secondary School Teacher | Small Engine Mechanic | Steel Fixer | Teachers' Aide | Thoracic Medicine Specialist | Vineyard Worker |
Aeroplane Pilot | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) | Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians nec | Building Associate (Building Construction Supervisor) | Chef | Civil Engineering Draftsperson | Cook | Dental Hygienist | Disabilities Services Officer | Electrical Engineering Technician | Emergency Medicine Specialist | Family Support Worker | Fruit Grower | Grader Operator | Hydrogen Process Operators | Joiner | Medical Laboratory Technician | Middle School Teacher | Nuclear Medicine Technologist | Optometrist | Parole or Probation Officer | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon | Production or Plant Engineer | Rehabilitation Counsellor | Senior Beef Cattle Station Worker | Social Worker | Stonemason | Technical Cable Jointer | Translator | Vocational Education Teacher |
Aged or Disabled Carer | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) | Audiologist | Building Inspector | Chemical Engineer | Civil Engineering Technician | Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist | Dental Specialist | Drainer | Electrical Linesworker | Emergency Service Worker | Fencer | Fuel Cell Technician | Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower | Hydrogeologist | Light Technician | Medical Oncologist | Midwife | Nurse Educator | Orthopaedic Surgeon | Pastrycook | Plumber (General) | Project Builder | Renal Medicine Specialist | Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker | Solid Plasterer | Structural Engineer | Telecommunications Cable Jointer | Truck Driver (General) | Wall and Floor Tiler |
Agricultural and Agritech Technician | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures) | Automotive Electrician | Cabinetmaker | Chemical Plant Operator | Clinical Coder | Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist | Dental Technician | Driller | Electrician (General) | Endocrinologist | Fire Fighter | Gas or Petroleum Operator | Grain, Oilseed, Pulse and Pasture Farm Worker | ICT Business Analyst | Loader Operator | Medical Practitioners nec | Mine Deputy | Nurse Manager | Orthoptist | Pathologist | Podiatrist | Psychiatrist | Resident Medical Officer | Senior Broadacre Crop Farm Worker | Sonographer | Surgeon (General) | Telecommunications Engineer | Urban and Regional Planner | Waste Water or Water Plant Operator |
Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator | Ambulance Officer | Backhoe Operator | Cabler (Data and Telecommunications) | Chemist | Clinical Haematologist | Cyber Security Analyst | Dental Therapist | Drug and Alcohol Counsellor | Electrician (Special Class) | Engineering Manager | Fire Protection Equipment Technician | Gasfitter | Health and Welfare Services Managers (nec) | ICT Project Manager | Maintenance Planner | Medical Radiation Therapist | Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) | Nurse Practitioner | Orthotist or Prosthetist | Pathology Collector | Preschool Aide | Psychologists nec | Residential Care Officer | Shearer | Special Education Teachers nec | Surveying or Spatial Science Technician | Telecommunications Field Engineer | Urologist | Welder (First Class) |
Agricultural Consultant | Anaesthetic Technician | Beef Cattle Farm Worker | Cafe or Restaurant Manager | Child Care Centre Manager | Clinical Psychologist | Cyber Security Architect | Dentist | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | Electrolyser Technician | Engineering Technologist | Fire Protection Plumber | Gastroenterologist | Health Practice Manager | ICT Support Engineer | Marine Surveyor | Medical Technicians, nec | Mixed Cattle and Sheep Farmer | Nursing Clinical Director | Otorhinolaryngologist | Paving Plant Operator | Pressure Welder | Quantity Surveyor | Rheumatologist | Sheep Farmer | Special Needs Teacher | Surveyor | Telecommunications Linesworker | Vascular Surgeon | Welfare Worker |
Agricultural Engineer | Anaesthetist | Beef Cattle Farmer | Cardiac Technician | Child Care Group Leader | Community Worker | Cyber Security Engineer | Dermatologist | Earth Science Technician | Electronic Engineering Draftsperson | Enrolled Nurse | Fitter (General) | General Practitioner | Helicopter Pilot | ICT Systems Test Engineer | Materials Engineer | Metal Fabricator | Mobile Plant Operator nec | Obstetrician & Gynaecologist | Out of School Hours Care Worker | Penetration Tester | Primary School Teacher | Radiation Oncologist | Roof Plumber | Sheetmetal Trades Worker | Specialist Physician (General Medicine) | Systems Administrator | Telecommunications Network Engineer | Vegetable Grower | Wind Blade Technician |
Agricultural Research Scientist | Aquaculture Or Fisheries Scientist | Biomedical Engineer | Cardiologist | Child Care Worker | Computer Network and Systems Engineer | Cyber Security Operations Coordinator | Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) | Electronic Engineering Technician | Environmental Engineer | Fitter and Turner | Geologist | Horticultural Supervisor or Specialist | Industrial Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | Metal Fitters and Machinists nec | Motor Mechanic (General) | Occupational Health and Safety Adviser | Paediatric Surgeon | Personal Care Assistant | Prison Officer | Refuge Worker | Roof Tiler | Ship's Engineer | Specialist Physicians nec | Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) | Telecommunications Network Planner | Vehicle Painter | Wine Grape Grower |
Agronomist | Arborist | Bricklayer | Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Child Or Youth Residential Care Assistant | Concrete Batching Plant Operator | Dairy Cattle Farm Worker | Diesel Motor Mechanic | Educational Psychologist | Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General) | Environmental Manager | Fitter-Welder | Geophysicist | Hospital Pharmacist | Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic | Mechanical Engineering Technician | Metal Machinist (First Class) | Naval Architect | Occupational Therapist | Paediatrician | Petroleum Engineer | Process Technician | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | Scaffolder | Ship's Master | Speech Pathologist | Teacher of the Hearing Impaired | Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist | Veterinarian | Wool Classer |
Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber | Architect | Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer | Carpenter | Civil Construction Supervisor | Construction Estimator | Dairy Cattle Farmer | Dietitian | Electrical Engineer | Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) | Excavator OperatorineworkerL | Floor Finisher | Geotechnical Engineer | Hotel or Motel Manager | Intensive Care Specialist | Medical Diagnostic Radiographer | Metallurgical or Materials Technician | Neurologist | Operating Theatre Technician | Painting Trades Worker | Physiotherapist | Procurement Manager | Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) | School Principal | Ship's Officer | Stationary Plant Operators nec | Teacher of the Sight Impaired | Telecommunications Technician | Veterinary Nurse | Youth Worker |
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