South-West DAMA
DAMA Overview
The South-West region has entered into a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) with the Commonwealth as a way to address the current skills shortages affecting the region.
The South West DAMA was signed in December 2021 (read Media Release) and took effect from January 2022. It is accessible for businesses operating within the designated South-West region that have advertised but been unable to source skilled workers locally to fill nominated positions within their workforce. Under the terms of a DAMA, businesses operating within the South-West area may be able to access a broader range of occupations as well as concessions not generally available through the standard skilled visa programs.
Employers who have an interest in accessing the DAMA are required to first submit an application to the Shire of Dardanup, who are the appointed Designated Area Representative (DAR) for the South-West DAMA. A positive endorsement then allows you to request a Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
Businesses operating within the following local government areas will be eligible to apply for endorsement to access the DAMA and apply for a South-West DAMA Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs:
- 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
Why DAMA?
While priority will always be offered to Australian workers first, there is currently a skills shortage being experienced in the South-West region and employer-sponsored workers from overseas can be an avenue to addressing these shortages.
The South-West DAMA exists to provide businesses in South-West region with a mechanism to address its current workforce shortages and to support future workforce planning. It allows employers to access a wider range of occupations, as well as concessions for those employers who are unable to find a suitably qualified Australian to fill a role within their company. As the overseas worker is being sponsored through a Labour Agreement, it ensures the terms and conditions a prospective applicant receives are no less favourable than those provided to Australian workers, providing protection for both employers and employees.
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. Skills shortages was the greatest concern for most of WA businesses.
As reported by the CCIWA, 31% of businesses identified skilled labour shortages as one of the largest barriers towards the growth of the business over the coming years. Skills shortages outweighed other issues as the top barrier to growth.
Furthermore, the promotion and training of Australians by employers entering into a Labour Agreement is sustained by the inclusion of the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
Occupations in demand
Please find below the following occupations that have been recognised as in demand within the South-West. Only the below occupations can be nominated in an application for endorsement under the South-West DAMA.
Please note that thorough evidence of your advertising attempts to recruit a suitably-qualified Australian must be accompanied by any application for endorsement, as well as provided to the Department of Home Affairs in the Labour Agreement and Nomination stages.
For further details on Labour Market Testing requirements, see Department of Home Affairs: Labour Market Testing - Department of Home Affairs
Carers, Health and Welfare Workers
Aged or Disabled Carer
ANZSCO: 423111
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Child Care Worker
ANZSCO: 421111
Skill level: 2 (Group Leaders)/3 (Non-Group Leaders)
English concession: No
TSMIT concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ACECQA
Community Worker
ANZSCO: 411711
Skill level: 2
English concession: No
TSMIT concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ACWA
Disabilities Services Officer
ANZSCO: 411712
Skill level: 2
English concession: No
TSMIT concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ACWA
Enrolled Nurse
ANZSCO: 411411
Skill level: 2
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ANMAC
Family Support Worker
ANZSCO: 411713
Skill level: 2
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ACWA
Nursing Support Worker
ANZSCO: 423312
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Residential Care Officer
ANZSCO: 411715
Skill level: 2
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ACWA
Welfare Worker
ANZSCO: 272613
Skill level: 1
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ACWA
Youth Worker
ANZSCO: 411716
Skill level: 2
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ACWA
Hospitality, Accommodation, Tourism and Retail
Accommodation and Hospitality Manager nec
ANZSCO: 141999
Skill level: 2
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Baker
ANZSCO: 351111
Skill level: 3
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: TRA
Bar Attendant (Supervisor)
6-digit code: 070499
Skill level: 4
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Cafe or Restaurant Manager
ANZSCO: 141111
Skill level: 2
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Cook
ANZSCO: 351411
Skill level: 3
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: TRA
Hospitality Workers nec
ANZSCO: 431999
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager nec
ANZSCO: 149999
Skill level: 2
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Hotel or Motel Manager
ANZSCO: 141311
Skill level: 2
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Hotel Service Manager
ANZSCO: 431411
Skill level: 3
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Pastrycook
ANZSCO: 351112
Skill level: 3
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: TRA
Retail Supervisor
ANZSCO: 621511
Skill level: 4
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Waiter
ANZSCO: 431511
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Waiter Supervisor
6-digit code: 070499
Skill level: 4
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Construction and Engineering
Construction Project Manager
ANZSCO Code: 133111
Skill level: 1
English concession: No
TSMIT concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Civil Engineer
ANZSCO Code: 233211
Skill level: 1
English concession: No
TSMIT concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: Engineers Australia
Concreter
ANZSCO Code: 821211
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Driller
ANZSCO Code: 712211
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Production or Plant Engineer
ANZSCO Code: 233513
Skill level: 1
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: Engineers Australia
Steel Fixer
ANZSCO Code: 821713
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Transport Engineer
ANZSCO Code: 233215
Skill level: 1
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: Engineers Australia
Agricultural Industry
Fruit or Nut Farm Worker
ANZSCO Code: 841211
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Fruit or Nut Picker
ANZSCO Code: 841212
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Mushroom Picker
ANZSCO Code: 841217
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Vegetable Farm Worker
ANZSCO Code: 841214
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Vegetable Picker
ANZSCO Code: 841215
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Vineyard Worker
ANZSCO Code: 841216
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Dairy Industry
Dairy Cattle Farm Worker
ANZSCO Code: 841512
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Dairy Products Maker
ANZSCO Code: 831114
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Mechanical Industry
Automotive Electrician
ANZSCO Code: 321111
Skill level: 3
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: TRA
Diesel Motor Mechanic
ANZSCO Code: 321212
Skill level: 3
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: TRA
Motorcycle Mechanic
ANZSCO Code: 321213
Skill level: 3
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: TRA
Motor Mechanic (General)
ANZSCO Code: 321211
Skill level: 3
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: TRA
Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General)
ANZSCO Code: 899411
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Panelbeater
ANZSCO Code: 324111
Skill level: 3
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: TRA
Sand Blaster
ANZSCO Code: 711913
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Tyre Fitter
ANZSCO Code: 899415
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Medical
General Practitioner
ANZSCO Code: 253111
Skill level: 1
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: MedBA
Sonographer
ANZSCO Code: 251214
Skill level: 1
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ASMIRT
Plant Operators
Backhoe Operator
ANZSCO Code: 721212
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
ANZSCO Code: 721211
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Excavator Operator
ANZSCO Code: 721214
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Loader Operator
ANZSCO Code: 721216
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: No
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Technology
ICT Project Manager
ANZSCO Code: 135112
Skill level: 1
English concession: No
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: ACS
Timber Industry
Logging Plant Operator
ANZSCO Code: 721112
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Truck Driver (General)
ANZSCO Code: 733111
Skill level: 4
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 55
Permanent residency pathway: Yes
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker
ANZSCO Code: 839412
Skill level: 5
English concession: Yes
TSMIT Concession: Yes
Age concession: 50
Permanent residency pathway: Yes (conditional for ENS)
Skills assessing authority: VETASSESS
Click to download the full South-West DAMA Occupation List
Concessions available
See below for an overview of concessions available with a Labour Agreement under the South-West DAMA:
Age Concession
An age concession is available for all occupations for a SESR (subclass 494) or ENS (subclass 186) visa, if at the time of the approved sponsor's nomination, the applicant has not yet turned;
- 55 years for overseas workers in skill level 1-4 occupations; and
- 50 years for overseas workers in skill level 5 occupations
English Language Requirement
For some occupations, a concession to the minimum standard English requirements may apply.
- TSS, SESR: average score of IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component score (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English)
- ENS: The minimum standard English language requirements applicable to the ENS non-labour agreement visa streams under the Migration Regulations apply
Click to access the list of eligible occupations: DAMA English Language Concession Occupation List
IELTS means the International English Language Testing System or the equivalent in another accepted English language test. For more details on English language requirements, see the Department of Home Affairs: Meeting our Requirements - English
TSMIT (Salary)
For some occupations, a reduction in the current Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) may apply. Where a business case can be made for the reduction, there are two concession types available:
- Type 1: Reduced TSMIT - at least 90% of the current TSMIT
- Type 2: At least reduced TSMIT and included non-monetary earnings (such as food and board) equal to no more than 10% of TSMIT
Click to access the list of eligible occupations: DAMA TSMIT Concession Occupation List
For more details on salary requirements, see the Department of Home Affairs: Market Salary and TSMIT
An announcement was made by the Minister of Home Affairs in April 2023 that the TSMIT will be increased to $70,000 as of July 1, 2023. If you have previously made an application for endorsement and now require a TSMIT concession, please email dama@dardanup.wa.gov.au to seek a variation.
Skills and Qualifications
The following skills, qualifications, experience and employment background requirements apply to the occupations in the below attachment in relation to a subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) and subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) visas and where eligible, under the permanent residence pathway, subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visas.
Click to access the list of eligible occupations: DAMA Skills and Qualifications
For job descriptions and requirements for the included occupations not included in ANZSCO, see attached: Non-ANZSCO Occupations
Permanent Residency Pathway
All of the occupations contained within the South-West DAMA have a pathway to permanent residency. As follows:
Skill level 1-4 occupations may be eligible for permanent residency pathway after three years holding a TSS or SESR visa
Skill level 5 occupations may be eligible for permanent residency pathway after four years, with at least two years of this period at a skill level 4 occupation.
If you have any further queries or would like to stay informed of updates relating to the DAMA, please contact the DAMA Officer on 08 9724 0000 or by email: dama@dardanup.wa.gov.au
Quick Links
Form 232 - Endorsement Application Form
Employers Guide to Accessing a Labour Agreement
DAMA FAQ
DAMA Glossary
Department of Home Affairs – Labour Agreements
Department of Home Affairs – Labour Market Testing
Department of Home Affairs – Market Salary and TSMIT