South West WA DAMA: Skilled Migration Pathways for Regional Applicants

The South West WA Designated Area Migration Agreement (South West DAMA) supports skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers seeking regional employment opportunities. The South West region includes 12 local government areas, renowned for their natural beauty, agriculture, and tourism sectors. Covering key towns and regional areas in the South West of Western Australia, this DAMA provides access to occupations beyond standard skilled migration programs, with tailored concessions for age, English language ability, work experience, and salary.

The South West DAMA was signed in December 2021 and took effect from January 2022.

For applicants, the South West DAMA provides a structured pathway to regional employment and potential permanent residency while helping address persistent local labour shortages. The South West DAMA provides access to more overseas workers than standard skilled migration programs and is designed to attract skilled migrants to the South West region.

What is the South West WA DAMA?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement is a formal arrangement between the Australian Government and a designated region. The South West DAMA allows endorsed employers to sponsor overseas workers for occupations that are hard to fill locally. The South West DAMA is managed by the Shire of Dardanup, which acts as the Designated Area Representative (DAR).

To access the South West DAMA, businesses must meet specific eligibility criteria. Only eligible businesses operating in the South West region can apply for DAMA endorsement, and they must first obtain endorsement from the Shire of Dardanup, the Designated Area Representative (DAR).

Key features of the South West WA DAMA

Broader range of eligible occupations compared to standard migration programs
Occupations are grouped according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) skill levels
Industry labour agreements may be used to facilitate the employment of overseas workers in certain occupations
Concessions on age, English language proficiency, salary, and work experience
Coverage of skilled and semi-skilled roles across multiple industries
Permanent residency pathway for eligible applicants

This DAMA is tailored to meet regional labour market needs while ensuring Australian workers are prioritised for available roles.

About the South West WA DAMA

The South West DAMA addresses workforce shortages in industries such as construction, agriculture, healthcare, hospitality, transport, and mining support. Administered by a local Designated Area Representative (DAR) in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, the DAMA ensures fair and lawful employment conditions and promotes sustainable regional workforce growth. The DAMA also supports workforce development and training and workforce development initiatives to address skill gaps in the region.

The DAMA enables applicants to:

Access occupations difficult to fill locally
Benefit from regional-specific concessions

Employers must provide evidence of their advertising attempts to recruit a suitably qualified Australian before seeking to sponsor skilled workers from overseas.

Pursue long-term employment and settlement opportunities in South West WA

The DAMA connects businesses with skilled migrants and skilled workers to support regional workforce development.

Key Features of the South West WA DAMA

Occupation List

Eligible occupations span a wide range of industries, including:

Construction, civil trades, and engineering support
Healthcare and aged care
Agriculture and food production
Hospitality and tourism (including service managers such as Hotel Service Managers)
Transport, logistics, and maintenance

Certain occupations may require a skills assessment to verify your qualifications and competencies before you can apply for a visa.

Occupations are grouped by ANZSCO skill levels, which indicate the typical qualification or experience required:

Skill Level 1: Usually requires a bachelor's degree or higher qualification.
Skill Level 2: Requires an associate degree or advanced diploma.
Skill Level 3: Requires a trade certificate or equivalent.
Skill Level 4: Requires a certificate II or III, and/or on-the-job training and market experience.
Skill Level 5: Requires short-term training or relevant work experience.

Concessions for Applicants

Age concessions: Age concession is available for certain visa subclasses, such as subclass 494 and 186, with some occupations allowing applicants up to 50 or 55 years.
English language concessions: Reduced English requirements for specific roles
Work experience concessions: Flexibility in prior experience requirements
Salary concessions: Regionally adjusted salary thresholds consistent with Australian employment standards. The South West DAMA allows for a 10% concession to the posted salary requirement if a business case is supplied to support the application for a salary concession.

Permanent Residency Pathways

Many Skill Level 1–5 occupations under the South West DAMA offer eligibility for permanent residency via ENS 186 or PR (Skilled Regional) 191 visas.

DAMA visa holders may be eligible for permanent visas, as the DAMA framework provides a pathway to permanent residency for eligible applicants.

How the South West WA DAMA Works

Applicants cannot apply directly, but understanding the employer-driven process helps plan migration pathways.

Visa applicants must provide proper documentation and meet skill and language requirements to ensure a successful application process. The employer sponsored visa and employer sponsored visa program require compliance with migration regulations and labour market testing to demonstrate efforts to recruit local workers.

Submitting a complete and accurate application is essential to avoid delays in the skilled migration process.

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Book a Consultation‍

If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Agents for a consultation.

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Step 1: Employer seeks DAR endorsement

Your prospective employer applies to the Shire of Dardanup, which acts as the Designated Area Representative (DAR) for the South West DAMA, to be authorised to nominate overseas workers under the DAMA.

Only businesses operating within the designated area are eligible to seek endorsement through this pathway.

Employers must notify Migration Services of the outcome of any Labour Agreement submission or visa applications related to endorsement.

Step 2: Labour Agreement request

Once endorsed, the employer lodges a Labour Agreement request with the Department of Home Affairs via ImmiAccount, specifying occupations, positions, and applicable concessions.

Existing labour agreements will remain valid during the transition period to the WA DAMA. Through the Labour Agreement process, businesses can sponsor skilled workers to fill critical roles in their operations.

New applications for Labour Agreements under the South West DAMA can be made until October 2026.

Step 3: Nomination and visa application

Following approval, the employer can nominate applicants for:

The DAMA visa is a specific visa category available under the South West DAMA, and applicants must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs. Proper documentation and compliance with these requirements are essential for a successful application.

Permanent residency pathways

Eligible workers may transition to:

The South West DAMA offers a permanent residency pathway for eligible applicants. Many Skill Level 1–5 occupations under the South West DAMA are eligible for permanent residency via the ENS 186 or PR (Skilled Regional) 191 visas.

Benefits of the South West WA DAMA for Applicants

The DAMA provides:

Access to occupations not available under standard skilled migration programs
Concessions for age, English, work experience, and salary
Clear pathways to permanent residency

The DAMA also offers visa concessions, making it easier for businesses to employ skilled migrants and address regional labour shortages.

Opportunities to work and live in regional South West WA
Contribution to the local economy while addressing critical workforce shortages

How Australian Migration Agents Can Support South West DAMA Applicants

Migration Agents can assist applicants by:

Advising on occupation eligibility and concessions
Explaining the DAMA nomination and visa process
Preparing visa documentation and managing submissions
Guiding applicants on permanent residency pathways
Ensuring compliance with all Home Affairs and DAR requirements

Professional guidance reduces delays, minimises errors, and improves chances of successful regional migration outcomes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which areas are covered by the South West WA DAMA?

The DAMA covers 12 local government areas in regional WA, including Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Margaret River, and surrounding areas.

2. Which visas can DAMA applicants access?

Visa applicants may be nominated for SID 482, TSS 482, or SESR 494 visas, with permanent residency pathways via ENS 186 or PR (Skilled Regional) 191 visas. Each visa subclass available under the South West DAMA has specific eligibility criteria that visa applicants must meet, including requirements related to skills, language proficiency, and supporting documentation.

3. Can individuals apply directly for the South West WA DAMA?

No. Only eligible businesses that have been endorsed under the South West DAMA can sponsor skilled workers.

4. Are age and English concessions available?

Yes. Concessions depend on the occupation and regional labour needs. For certain visa subclasses, such as subclass 494 and 186, an age concession may be available. Additionally, the South West DAMA allows for a 10% concession to the posted salary requirement if a business case is supplied.

5. Does the South West WA DAMA lead to permanent residency?

Yes. The South West DAMA offers a permanent residency pathway for eligible applicants. Many occupations are eligible for permanent visas, with structured routes to permanent residency through ENS 186 or PR (Skilled Regional) 191 visas.