South-West DAMA
DAMA Updates
TSMIT/CSIT increase
From July 1, 2025 the minimum salary requirements for employer-sponsored visa applications will increase from $73,150 to $76,515 as outlined in the Department of Home Affairs Migration Strategy. The South-West DAMA allows for a 10% concession to the posted salary requirement provided a business case is supplied to support the application for a salary concession. More information can be found at the Department of Home Affairs here: News page
Annual Report 2024
South-West DAMA Annual Report 2024 is now available to download here: South-West DAMA Annual Report 2024
Changes to TSS/482 Visa
The Skills in Demand (SID) (subclass 482) visa replaced the previous Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) from 7 December 2024. For further information please visit:
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Labour agreement stream
South-West 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 and took effect from January 2022. An updated agreement with an expanded list of occupations was signed and took effect in August 2024.
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. Using the Labour Agreement framework - 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 employer-sponsored 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 |
Shire of Collie |
| City of Busselton |
Shire of Dardanup |
| Shire of Augusta Margaret River |
Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup |
| Shire of Boyup Brook |
Shire of Harvey |
| Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes |
Shire of Manjimup |
| Shire of Capel |
Shire of Nannup |
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
For the full list of available occupations and related concessions, please see: South-West DAMA Occupation List
Concessions Available
Qualifications and Experience
For some occupations, a more flexible approach to the skills and experience requirements for applicants have been negotiated under the terms of the South-West DAMA.
For information relating to the skills and requirements for the non-ANZSCO occupations, please click here: Schedule 4: Occupations not in ANZSCO
For details on the skills and work experience requirements for occupations under the South-West DAMA, please click here: Schedule 5: Qualifications and Experience
Please note: skills assessment for DAMA purposes may differ from skills assessment requirements under the general migration system.
Salary (TSMIT/CSIT) Concession
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
For the detailed requirements, see Schedule 6: Concession to TSMIT
For more details on salary requirements, see the Department of Home Affairs: Market Salary and TSMIT
English Language Concession
For some occupations, a concession to the minimum standard English requirements may apply. This is reflected in the South-West Occupation List table above.
For the Occupations that are available for a concession to the English language requirements, the following concessions apply:
- SID (482), SESR (494): an average score of IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component score (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English).
- ENS (186): The minimum standard English language requirements applicable to the ENS non-labour agreement visa streams under the Migration Regulations apply.
For the detailed requirements, see Schedule 7: English language concession
For more details on English language requirements, see the Department of Home Affairs: Meeting our Requirements - English
Permanent Residency Pathway
As of August 2024, all applicants may be eligible for permanent residency through 186 (ENS) after two years holding a subclass 482 visa issued under the South-West DAMA.
Holders of the subclass 494 visa can apply for permanent residency independently through the 191 visa after 3 years.
For the detailed requirements, see Schedule 8: Permanent Residence Pathway
Ready to Apply? Click through below:
Further questions? Please contact us below:
Quick Links
South-West DAMA Occupation List
Employers Guide to Accessing a Labour Agreement
DAMA FAQs
DAMA Glossary
South-West DAMA - Application for Endorsement request form
South-West DAMA - Deed of Variation request form
South-West DAMA - Annual Report 2024
Department of Home Affairs – Labour Agreements
Department of Home Affairs – Labour Market Testing
Department of Home Affairs – Market Salary and TSMIT