Western Australia | Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) Update
From 1 July 2024 onwards, changes to Western Australia’s Designated Area Migration Agreement (WA DAMA) will be implemented to address critical workforce shortages across the state. This initiative allows Western Australian businesses to recruit skilled migrants when they are unable to find suitably qualified Australians.
Addressing Critical Workforce Shortages
The WA DAMA is designed to target occupations in high demand within the state, ensuring that employers can find the skilled workers necessary to support their operations and contribute to the local economy.
What are the key features of WA DAMA?
Broader Occupation List
Employers in WA will benefit from a broader list of occupations and concessions under the new WA DAMA, in addition to the existing DAMAs tailored to specific regions. This expansion enhances their ability to recruit from overseas.
Combined Migration Programs
The WA DAMA will work alongside WA’s existing State Nominated Migration Program, streamlining the process of attracting skilled workers to meet local needs. The WA DAMA will now facilitate the settlement of up to 10,000 overseas workers in Western Australia each year, supporting local economies and addressing labour shortages
What are the current DAMAs available in Western Australia?
There are four regional DAMAs in place currently, each designed to meet the unique labour demands of their respective regions:
Goldfields - City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Kimberley - East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EKCCI)
Pilbara - Regional Development Australia Pilbara
South West WA - Shire of Dardanup
The fifth DAMA will be the WA DAMA for the state and will complement these existing agreements, supporting workforce needs across the entire region.
Regional and WA DAMA Occupation Eligibility
If a nominated occupation is not available through a local regional DAMA but is available under the WA DAMA, the businesses can apply directly to Migration Services for endorsement under the WA DAMA. This provision ensures access to a broader range of occupations to support individual workforce needs.
What are the eligible visa pathways?
The WA DAMA enables eligible businesses to recruit skilled migrants through three specific visa pathways:
Temporary Skills Shortage (Subclass 482) Visa: For temporary positions to address labour shortages.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) Visa: For skilled workers in regional areas with a pathway to permanent residency.
Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) Visa: Allows employers to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residency.
I live in WA, Should I Consider applying for My visa through DAMA?
The introduction of the WA DAMA represents a significant opportunity for Western Australian businesses to bolster their workforce in critical areas. By allowing up to 10,000 overseas workers to settle in WA annually and providing access to various visa pathways, the WA DAMA is poised to make a substantial impact on the state's labour market and economic growth. The new WA DAMA enhances employer flexibility in hiring, which is essential for meeting the evolving needs of various industries in Western Australia.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
Interested in applying under DAMA in WA and seeking professional legal advice, contact us at Agape Henry Crux. Our Accredited Specialist(s) in Immigration Law and our team of immigration lawyers and registered migration agents are specialised in handling highly complex matters. You may schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
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