May 6, 2024
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The South-West region (Western Australia) has entered an agreement called the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). This is to help with the shortage of skilled workers in the area.
The South West DAMA officially started in January 2022. It helps businesses in the South-West region that can’t find enough skilled workers locally. With DAMA, these businesses can hire and sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for a wider range of jobs than metropolitan areas and get some special benefits.
The South West DAMA covers a beautiful region known for its wineries, surfing spots, and ancient forests. It includes major towns and local government areas that are pivotal to its economy, focusing on sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and agriculture
Areas included in the DAMA South West are:
This agreement helps businesses find the workers they need and supports the economy of the South-West region and helps overseas workers to find an employer and sponsor.
There is currently a skills shortage being experienced in the South-West region and employer-sponsored workers from overseas can be an avenue to addressing these shortages.
It allows employers to access a wider range of occupations, as well as concessions for those employers who are unable to find a suitably qualified Australian to fill a role within their company. As the overseas worker is being sponsored through a Labour Agreement, it ensures the terms and conditions a prospective applicant receives are no less favourable than those provided to Australian workers, providing protection for both employers and employees.
An age concession is available for all occupations for subclass 494 or subclass 186 visa, if at the time of the approved sponsor’s nomination, the applicant has not yet turned;
The South West is one of Western Australia’s nine recognised regions located outside the Perth metropolitan area. Fronting the Indian and Southern oceans, covering 24,000 square kilometers and including 12 local government areas, the South West is the most populous and economically diverse of WA’s regions.
The regional landform comprises the Swan Coastal Plain to the north, the Scott Coastal Plain to the south, Darling Range in the east, and Whicher Range linking the Darling Range to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge in the Capes area. Of the landmass that comprises the region, about two-thirds is made up of State Forest, National Parks and regional parks, with the southern forests being the largest component. About 25% is occupied by agricultural and rural uses, with about 8% used for industrial and urban development.
The South West DAMA includes a diverse range of occupations tailored to the region’s economic needs, here the job title and ANZSCO code
Accommodation and Hospitality Managers – 423111
Aged or Disabled Worker – 321111
Automotive Electrician – 721212
Backhoe Operator – 351111
Baker – 070499
Bar Attendant (Supervisor) – 141111
Café or Restaurant Manager – 421111
Child Care Worker – 233211
Civil Engineer – 411711
Community Worker – 821211
Concreter – 133111
Construction Project Manager – 351411
Cook – 841512
Dairy Cattle Farm Worker – 831114
Dairy Products Maker – 321212
Diesel Motor Mechanic – 411712
Disabilities Services Officer – 712211
Driller – 721211
Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) – 411411
Enrolled Nurse – 721214
Excavator Operator – 411713
Family Support Worker – 841211
Fruit or Nut Farm Worker – 841212
Fruit or Nut Picker – 253111
General Practitioner – 431999
Hospitality Workers – 149999
Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers – 141311
Hotel or Motel Manager – 431411
Hotel Service Manager – 135112
ICT Project Manager – 721216
Loader Operator – 721112
Logging Plant Operator – 321213
Motorcycle Mechanic – 321211
Motor Mechanic (General) – 899411
Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General) – 841217
Mushroom Picker – 423312
Nursing Support Worker – 324111
Panelbeater – 351112
Pastrycook – 233513
Production or Plant Engineer – 411715
Residential Care Officer – 621511
Retail Supervisor – 711913
Sand Blaster – 839412
Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker – 251214
Sonographer – 821713
Steel Fixer – 233215
Transport Engineer – 733111
Truck Driver (General) – 899415
Tyre Fitter – 841214
Vegetable Farm Worker – 841215
Vegetable Picker – 841216
Vineyard Worker – 431511
Waiter – 070499
Waiter (Supervisor) – 272613
Welfare Worker – 411716
Youth Worker – 272613
The grouping of occupations under the South West DAMA is organised based on various criteria such as skill level, industry needs, and specific qualifications or work experience required. This structured grouping helps tailor the DAMA to the specific economic and labor market needs of the South West region. Here’s a breakdown of how the occupations are typically grouped:
1. Skill Level Grouping
ANZSCO Skill Levels: Occupations are grouped according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) skill levels. These range from skill level 1 (which includes occupations that typically require a bachelor degree or higher qualification) down to skill level 5 (which includes occupations that may require a certificate I or compulsory secondary education).
Examples:
Skill Level 1: Occupations like Civil Engineers, General Practitioners.
Skill Level 5: Occupations like Dairy Cattle Farm Workers, Vineyard Workers.
Skill Level 1
Qualifications: Typically requires a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some cases, at least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification. Examples: Professionals like Accountants, Engineers, Doctors, and Teachers.
Skill Level 2
Qualifications: Requires an Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, or Diploma. At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications. Examples: Associate professionals such as Technicians, Paralegals, and Hospitality Managers.
Skill Level 3
Qualifications: Requires a Certificate IV, Advanced Certificate, or Diploma. At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications. On-the-job training might also be required. Examples: Tradespeople like Electricians, Chefs, and Office Managers.
Skill Level 4
Qualifications: Requires a Certificate II or III, which may include at least two years of on-the-job training, or at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications. Examples: Personal Care Assistants, Motor Mechanics, and various Operator roles like Forklift and Excavator Operators.
Skill Level 5
Qualifications: Requires a Certificate I or compulsory secondary education, or short-period on-the-job training. In some cases, no formal qualification or experience is required, just basic training. Examples: Occupations like Farm Hands, Cleaners, and Kitchen Hands.
Occupations may also be grouped based on the industry sectors they belong to, such as healthcare, engineering, agriculture, or hospitality. This allows the DAMA to address the specific shortages in key sectors crucial to the region’s economy.
Healthcare: Nurses, General Practitioners.
Agriculture: Fruit or Nut Farm Workers, Vineyard Workers.
This grouping considers the specific qualifications and work experience required for each occupation. Some roles may allow work experience to substitute formal qualifications, especially in skilled trades.
Formal Qualification Required: Civil Engineers must typically have a degree in civil engineering.
Work Experience Can Substitute: Motor Mechanics might not need formal qualifications if they have significant relevant work experience.
Click to access the list of eligible occupations: DAMA Skills and Qualifications
For job descriptions and requirements for the included occupations not included in ANZSCO, see attached: Non-ANZSCO Occupations
Some groups of occupations might have specific concessions related to age, English language proficiency, or salary thresholds, which are designed to make it easier to fill these roles under the DAMA.
For some occupations, a concession to the minimum standard English requirements may apply.
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:
Click to access the list of eligible occupations: DAMA TSMIT Concession Occupation List
Please note that the TSMIT was increased to $70,000 from all new Nominations lodged since July 1, 2023.
Certain occupations require a compulsory skills assessment. For example, Child Care Workers must be assessed by ACECQA.
Skill Levels 4 and 5: Occupations at these skill levels typically require a skills assessment for any nomination or visa application under the South-West DAMA. This includes roles not on an eligible list of skilled occupations but requested under the DAMA, suggesting that a skills assessment is mandatory across these levels to ensure that the candidates meet the required competencies and qualifications.
Skill Levels 1, 2, and 3: Skills assessments are also required here, but the application might be more targeted depending on the occupation’s inclusion in eligible lists of skilled occupations and the specific visa subclass involved (e.g., 482, 494, 186). For some occupations, such as those listed in the eligible skilled occupations, a skills assessment is mandatory as per standard visa programs unless exceptions are noted under the DAMA framework.
All of the occupations contained within the South-West DAMA have a pathway to permanent residency. As follows:
DAMA not only helps businesses in filling critical roles but also supports the South-West region’s economy while providing opportunities for overseas workers.
Remember, we’re here to assist both skilled workers and businesses. If your employer is interested in leveraging the benefits of DAMA and would appreciate professional guidance, we can arrange a consultation to guide the business through the process of becoming an approved sponsor.
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The information provided is a general guide and does not constitute legal or immigration advice; there are many regulations that may apply depending on each individual’s circumstances alongside changes in the industry. It is the user’s responsibility to verify the currency of information. Those seeking advice should engage a MARA registered migration agent.