Employers in Western Australia can sponsor overseas skilled and semi-skilled workers through the WA DAMA. Learn how to apply, get endorsed, and access visa pathways for your workforce.
What Is the Western Australia DAMA?
The Western Australia DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) is a special visa framework designed to help WA employers sponsor overseas skilled and semi-skilled workers to fill ongoing workforce shortages.
Launched in 2024, the WA DAMA provides employers across both metropolitan Perth and regional Western Australia with access to occupations that are not included on Australia’s standard skilled occupation lists.
Under this program, businesses can sponsor workers for the following visas:
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand Visa)
- Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa)
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme Visa)
This flexible agreement offers concessions on English, age, salary, and work experience, providing employers with access to a broader talent pool and long-term permanent residency (PR) pathways for overseas workers.
Why Employers Are Turning to the WA DAMA
The WA DAMA provides a strategic solution to the state’s critical workforce shortages across industries such as:
Construction & Mining – trades, machinery operators, engineers
Aged Care & Health – nurses, carers, allied health professionals
Tourism & Hospitality – chefs, cooks, hotel managers
Agriculture & Horticulture – farmhands, irrigation specialists, machinery operators
A list to occupations accessable can be found here:https://migration.wa.gov.au/our-services-support/designated-area-migration-agreement#using-the-wa-dama-occupation-list-filters
Key benefits for WA employers include:
- Access to a broader occupation list, including semi-skilled roles
- Concessions for English language, age (up to 55 years), and experience
- Permanent residency pathways after required service
- State-wide participation, covering Perth Metro and all regional areas
For many Western Australian businesses, the DAMA framework offers a realistic, compliant, and long-term solution for workforce retention and skill shortages.
Employer Eligibility Requirements
To apply under the Western Australia DAMA, employers must:
- Operate an established business in WA for at least 12 months
- Demonstrate genuine labour shortages through labour market testing
- Provide employment conditions equal to or better than those for Australian workers
- Undergo endorsement through WA’s Designated Area Representative (DAR), managed by the Department of Training and Workforce Development – Migration Services
Employers must prove that they have made genuine attempts to recruit locally before turning to overseas sponsorship.
? Step-by-Step: How Employers Access the WA DAMA
Step 1 – Check Occupation Eligibility
Confirm that your occupation is listed on the WA DAMA occupation list or within one of Western Australia’s regional DAMAs.
Step 2 – Apply for Endorsement
Submit your endorsement request to the Designated Area Representative (DAR) with:
- ABN and business financials
- Evidence of local recruitment efforts
- Proposed roles, locations, and salary details
Once approved, you’ll receive an endorsement letter authorising a Labour Agreement request.
Step 3 – Apply for a Labour Agreement
Apply to the Department of Home Affairs under the WA DAMA framework.
This agreement outlines occupations, concessions, and visa conditions available to your business.
Step 4 – Nominate and Sponsor Workers
Once your Labour Agreement is approved, nominate workers under the 482, 494, or 186 visa streams.
Ensure each nominee meets skills, health, and character requirements.
Step 5 – Maintain Ongoing Compliance
Employers must maintain accurate records, notify the Department of any employment changes, and uphold fair pay and work conditions.
Concessions Available Under the WA DAMA
The Western Australia DAMA provides several important migration concessions to make sponsorship more accessible:
- Age concession: Applicants can be up to 55 years old.
- English language concession: Lower IELTS requirements for eligible roles.
- Work experience concession: Reduced minimum experience for certain occupations.
- Salary threshold flexibility: Adjusted rates for regional and critical industries.
These concessions make it easier for regional WA employers to attract and retain overseas talent while remaining compliant with visa conditions.
Benefits for Employers and Skilled Workers
For Employers:
Fill critical roles faster across Perth and regional WA
Access international talent unavailable through standard migration programs
Retain skilled workers through PR pathways
Stabilise workforce and reduce turnover
For Skilled Workers:
Access to employer sponsorship in Western Australia
Relaxed eligibility requirements
Pathway to permanent residency through 186 or 494 visas
Work and live in one of Australia’s most economically diverse states
Compliance and Ongoing Obligations
Employers participating in the WA DAMA must:
- Maintain equal pay and workplace standards for all workers
- Notify the Department of any employment changes (termination, hours, etc.)
- Cooperate with compliance audits
- Retain employment records for all sponsored workers
Failure to comply can lead to penalties or cancellation of the Labour Agreement.
Partner with Tolic Lawyers for WA DAMA Success
At Tolic Lawyers, we work closely with employers across Western Australia to help them access the WA DAMA framework efficiently and compliantly.
We assist with:
Labour market testing and compliance documentation
Endorsement and Labour Agreement applications
Worker nominations under 482, 494, or 186 visas
Preparation of decision-ready applications
We support employers across:
- ? Perth Metro & South West – aged care, hospitality, manufacturing
- ? Pilbara & Kimberley – mining, logistics, trades
- ? Goldfields & Wheatbelt – agriculture, construction
“Our business secured approval under the WA DAMA with Tolic Lawyers’ support. Their expertise saved us time and ensured full compliance.”
Call (02) 8077 2562 or book your consultation online.
Disclaimer
This blog provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
For advice tailored to your business or visa situation, contact Tolic Lawyers, your trusted partner in migration and employment law.
