About DAMA & The South  West Dama

DAMA Overview

Designated Area Migration Agreements are a formal arrangement between the Commonwealth of Australia and a Designated Area Representative (DAR). A DAR may be a state/territory government or regional body such as the local government (The South West DAR is the Shire of Dardanup). Under the terms of a DAMA, the designated area may be able to access a broader range of overseas workers that is not available through the standard skilled visa programs. This allows variations to standard occupations and skills lists and/or negotiable concessions to visa requirements. DAMA Labour Agreements are between the Australian Government and endorsed employers operating within the relevant region. They are generally in effect for five years and use the Temporary Skills Shortage and Employer Nominated Scheme visa programs.

South West  DAMA Overview

The South West DAMA Labour Agreement was established in December 2021  and is accessible for businesses operating within the entire South West region covering 12 local government areas that are unable to source skilled workers locally and require the skilled worker to be sourced from overseas. Employers who have an interest in accessing the DAMA are required to first submit an application to the DAR (Shire of Dardanup) to access the South West DAMA Labour Agreement.

Only businesses operating within the following local government areas will be eligible to apply for DAR endorsement and access the South West DAMA Labour Agreement:

• City of Bunbury
• City of Busselton
• Shire of Augusta Margaret River
• Shire of Boyup Brook
• Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
• Shire of Capel
• Shire of Collie
• Shire of Dardanup
• Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
• Shire of Harvey
• Shire of Manjimup
• Shire of Nannup

The majority of DAMA agreements include occupations available under the standard TSS 482 visa or regional 494 visa program. However, the South West DAMA provides additional concessions to the English Language and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) requirements. Where Concession is requested, support data will be required to support the request for the concession. Scroll down to read more information on Concessions available.

Why DAMA?

Different business sectors within the South West region have been finding it challenging to hire skilled labour.

Some businesses find local employees are not applying for skilled jobs whereas some businesses are experiencing a high labor turnover.

Such prevailing factors are forcing businesses to look for potential candidates from overseas. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) conducted a Business Confidence Survey to find out the concerns towards the growth of Western Australian (WA) businesses. Skill shortages were the greatest concern for most WA businesses.

As reported by the CCIWA, three out of every 10 (31%) businesses identified skilled labour shortages as one of the largest barriers towards the growth of the business over the coming years.

Skill shortages outweighed other issues as the top barrier to growth.

Occupations in demand

The South West DAMA Labour Agreement may only be used to sponsor the following occupations and only after thorough evidence has been provided to the Department of Home Affairs to show the business made concerted attempts to recruit Australian workers.

If vacancies still exist in the occupations below, you may seek to enter into a South West DAMA Labour Agreement.