DAMA Western Australia

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What is DAMA Western Australia?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) Western Australia is a formal migration pathway for WA employers who need to sponsor overseas workers for hard-to-fill roles. DAMA WA and the region-specific DAMAs—Pilbara, Goldfields, East Kimberley, and South West—allow local businesses to access more occupations and visa concessions than standard skilled migration programs.

The DAMA program in WA is designed to address local worker shortages, supporting business growth across metropolitan Perth and regional Western Australia.

WA DAMA: Statewide & Regional Options

As of 2025, there are five DAMAs in WA:

WA DAMA: Covers the whole state, including Perth metropolitan (Category 2) and all other regional areas (Category 3).
Pilbara DAMA: City of Karratha, Town of Port Hedland, Shire of East Pilbara.
Goldfields DAMA: Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Coolgardie, Dundas, Esperance, and surrounding shires.
East Kimberley DAMA: Wyndham East Kimberley, Broome, Halls Creek, Derby-West Kimberley.
South West DAMA: Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River, Dardanup, Manjimup, and surrounding shires.

Each DAMA has a unique occupation list and application process via their local Designated Area Representative (DAR).

Tip: If your occupation isn’t on your local DAMA list, check the WA DAMA occupation list for additional options.

WA DAMA Occupation List & Regional Lists

The WA DAMA occupation list covers over 300 occupations across a wide range of industries, including aviation, healthcare, construction, IT, agriculture, mining, energy, hospitality, and more.
Key roles include engineers (mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, etc.), nurses and medical professionals, pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers, architects and draftspersons, automotive and heavy vehicle mechanics, agricultural, livestock, fisheries and horticulture technicians and workers, chefs, restaurant and hotel managers, pastry cooks, ICT professionals (network, cybersecurity, systems, etc.), teachers, social workers, production and manufacturing workers, trades (electrical, plumbing, welding, etc.), machine operators, transport drivers, and management positions.

Notably, WA DAMA features regionally tailored occupations and several semi-skilled or non-ANZSCO coded roles (such as Civil Construction Supervisor, Hydrogen Process Operators, Electrolyser Technician, and others) to address unique local workforce needs.

For further information on the WA DAMA occupation list, visit migration.wa.gov.au or contact us.

DAMA Visa Options in WA

Employers endorsed under a DAMA can sponsor overseas workers for:

Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa (formerly TSS)
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa

DAMA visas in WA often feature concessions not available through standard pathways—especially for regional employers.

Key Concessions Under DAMA WA

Work experience: Reduced requirement (as little as 1 year for Skills in Demand visa, 2 years for SESR/ENS regional, 3 years for Perth).
Age: Increased limit up to 55 years (vs. standard 45).
English: Minimum IELTS 5.0 (may be higher for some occupations).
Salary (TSMIT): Potential concessions for eligible occupations, but must meet market rate and national standards.
Permanent residence: Shorter PR pathways for workers in regional WA (2 years) vs. Perth (3 years), plus full-time employment offer.
Occupation access: Includes some semi-skilled and regionally in-demand jobs not always on national skilled lists.

Concessions and occupation eligibility vary by region and visa—check the official WA DAMA occupation list for your case.

How to Access DAMA in WA

Check Occupation List:
See if your role is on the relevant DAMA or WA DAMA occupation list.
Get Endorsement:
- For region-specific DAMAs (Pilbara, Goldfields, East Kimberley, South West), apply to your local DAR.
- For state-wide WA DAMA or if your occupation isn’t covered locally, apply directly to Migration Services WA.
Submit Labour Agreement Application:
Lodge an agreement request with the Department of Home Affairs after obtaining endorsement.
Nominate & Sponsor Workers:
Once approved, nominate your overseas worker(s) for the appropriate DAMA visa.

No endorsement fee applies for WA DAMA at present. Home Affairs visa and nomination fees still apply.

DAMA WA Regional Summaries

Pilbara DAMA:
Targeted at major resources, construction, and service industries in Karratha, Port Hedland, East Pilbara.
More info on Pilbara DAMA
Goldfields DAMA:
Serving mining, health, hospitality, and trades in Goldfields–Esperance region.
More info on Goldfields DAMA
East Kimberley DAMA:
Supports tourism, hospitality, and agriculture sectors in the East Kimberley and Broome.
More info on East Kimberley DAMA
South West DAMA:
Includes Bunbury, Margaret River, Dardanup, and more. Focus on agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism.
More info on South West DAMA
WA DAMA (statewide):
For occupations and locations not covered by the four regional DAMAs; apply via Migration Services WA.
WA DAMA Official Info & Occupation List

Skills Assessment Requirements

May be required for 482, 494, or 186 visas depending on the occupation and applicant’s background.
Check the relevant occupation list and Home Affairs criteria for full details.

Ready to Sponsor with DAMA WA? Contact Us!

Don’t let skill shortages limit your WA business. Our team offers expert DAMA guidance across all regions—from Perth to the Pilbara, Kimberley, Goldfields, and South West.

📞 Call us: 0485 907 989
📧 Email: jade@jadeimmigrationlawyers.com.au
📝 Submit an online enquiry or
📅 Book a consultation We assist clients across Australia and internationally.

Related Pages & Further Reading

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Practice Areas

FAQ

Find answers to common questions about our Labour Agreement services and processes. If you need further assistance, please contact us.

What’s the difference between WA DAMA and the regional DAMAs (Pilbara, Goldfields, East Kimberley, South West)?

WA DAMA covers the whole state, with a broader occupation list; regional DAMAs are tailored to local workforce needs.

How do I know if my business qualifies?

Your business must be legally operating in WA and the nominated occupation must be on the DAMA occupation list for your area.

What are the main concessions of DAMA WA?

Reduced work experience, higher age limit, flexible English, TSMIT salary concessions, and more.

How do I apply?

Check your occupation list, apply for endorsement, then follow the Home Affairs application process.
Contact us for full guidance!