Navigating Pilbara, Western Australia (WA) DAMA
Are you thinking of going through the labour agreement visa pathway under the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) specifically for the Pilbara region in Western Australia? Individuals looking to access a labour agreement under the Pilbara DAMA can do it through the visa programs below:
What Are the Exclusive Agreements Established for Pilbara, WA?
The Pilbara DAMA is a 5-year employer-sponsored visa program that establishes a partnership between local businesses and the Australian government to find suitable skilled workers to address labour shortages in the specific region.
The Pilbara DAMA includes the following, and the postcodes are representative of the main towns and communities within each shire and not limited to:
City of Karratha
Karratha: 6714
Dampier: 6713
Roebourne: 6718
Wickham: 6720
Town of Port Hedland
Port Hedland: 6721
South Hedland: 6722
Shire of East Pilbara
Newman: 6753
Marble Bar: 6760
Nullagine: 6758
The applicant must live and work in the designated area mentioned above once sponsored under the labour agreement pathway.
Businesses who wish to employ and sponsor a skilled worker through the labour agreement framework:
Allows the employer to obtain their own labour agreement, which is valid for 5 years. That gives pre-approval for skilled and semi-skilled occupations.
The employer does not need to have an identified skilled worker to access the DAMA labour agreement.
The employer can nominate or sponsor overseas workers who are already employed in their business or use it to attract skilled and experienced workers from overseas with concessions (if applicable).
The business must have no adverse information.
The labour agreement can be varied if the business’s needs change, such as adding occupations or increasing the nomination ceiling.
Employers must access and apply for an endorsement through the Pilbara DAMA Designated Area Representative (DAR), Regional Development Australia (RDA) Pilbara. The processing fee per position is AUD 350 + GST.
Ensure that the Labour Market Testing (LMT) has been conducted.
The Pilbara DAMA occupation list includes 135 occupations. Employers must demonstrate their need to access available concessions by presenting a business case for each occupation and concession.
English concession for some occupations.
CSIT concession, previously known as TSMIT, is available for skill level 3-5 occupations and must show a salary range of $65,835 - $73,150.
Age concession for SESR (SC 494) and ENS (SC 186) visas:
Applicants up to 55 years old can apply for occupations with Skill Level 1 - 4.
Applicants up to 50 years old can apply for occupations with Skill Level 5.
A permanent Residence (PR) pathway may be available through an ENS (SC 186) visa after living and working in the Pilbara Designated Area for 3 years on a SID (SC 482) or TSS/Subclass 457 visa granted under the Pilbara DAMA.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
If you are interested in the labour agreement visa pathway for DAMA Western Australia (WA). Reach out to Agape Henry Crux and speak with one of our immigration lawyers or registered migration agents for professional advice. The team works together with our Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyer(s), who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. We can also help you arrange an interpreter if this isn't your language.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.
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