The Goldfields Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) represents a pivotal initiative designed to address critical skill shortages in the Goldfields region of Western Australia. Established through collaboration between the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, RDA Goldfields Esperance, and supported by the Federal Government, the Goldfields DAMA is a five (5) -year labour agreement that facilitates the sponsorship of skilled overseas workers to fill vital roles in the region. The agreement allows employers within these areas to sponsor skilled overseas workers through the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS subclass 186), and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (SESR subclass 494).
Duration and Coverage
The Goldfields DAMA initially commenced in March 2019 and has recently been extended until April 2025. It encompasses eight local government areas:
City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Shire of Coolgardie
Shire of Dundas
Shire of Esperance
Shire of Laverton
Shire of Leonora
Shire of Menzies
Shire of Ravensthorpe
Eligible Occupations and Concessions
Occupations List
The Goldfields DAMA supports around 145 occupations adding 20 new roles including bar attendants, cooks, delivery drivers, and various other positions essential to local industries.
Concessions and Special Provisions
Qualifications and Skills: Concessions on qualifications and skills assessments are available for certain occupations, potentially easing the entry requirements for overseas workers.
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): For some occupations, TSMIT concessions are available, allowing employers to offer salaries slightly below the standard threshold of AUD $73,150.
Age Concessions: There are age concessions for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) and the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visas, with limits set at 55 years for skill level 1-4 occupations and 50 years for skill level 5 occupations.
Special Occupations
The DAMA also covers six (6) unique occupations not listed in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), including roles such as Asphalt Technician and Rope Access Technician, which are given the specific code 070499 for the Goldfields DAMA.
Application Process
1. Initial Check and Information Gathering - Employers should review the requirements on the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's website and the Department of Home Affairs’ site.
2. Request for Endorsement- Complete the “Request for endorsement to access a labour agreement under the Goldfields DAMA” form and submit it along with required documents and payment of the application fee ($259 per employee nomination)
3. Assessment and Endorsement- The Goldfields Designated Area Representative (DAR) will assess the application and issue an endorsement letter, typically within 10 working days if all information is complete.
4. Labour Agreement Application- With the DAR endorsement, employers apply online through their ImmiAccount to the Department of Home Affairs for a Goldfields DAMA Labour Agreement. Employers must nominate specific positions and adhere to the agreement’s conditions.
5. Nominating Individual Visa Applicants - Once a Labour Agreement is in place, employers can nominate individual overseas workers for the specified roles. The nomination process includes paying the relevant Department of Home Affairs fees.
6. Visa Application- The nominated individuals will apply for their visas, undergoing necessary health and police checks. They should start preparing their applications as soon as possible to ensure compliance with all requirements.
Employer Eligibility and Obligations
To be eligible to use the Goldfields DAMA, employers must:
Be a registered Australian entity actively operating within the DAMA region for at least 12 months.
Demonstrate financial viability and compliance with workplace legislation.
Conduct approved Labour Market Testing to show that no suitable Australian candidates are available.
Offer employment terms and conditions at least equivalent to those for Australian workers.
Workforce Needs
The Goldfields DAMA considers employers’ workforce needs, including current and future staffing requirements. Businesses must demonstrate a genuine need for overseas workers and comply with all terms of their DAMA agreement.
Please note that immigration regulations may change over time. To ensure you meet the current eligibility criteria and receive personalized guidance, we recommend consulting with Australian Portal Immigration. You can book your appointment here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I apply to migrate to the Goldfields under the DAMA as an individual skilled worker?
- No, the Goldfields DAMA is an employer-sponsored program, meaning only employers can apply on behalf of skilled workers. Individual jobseekers cannot apply for a visa independently.
Q2. Can the DAMA help me find businesses that are looking for skilled migrants?
- No, the Goldfields Designated Area Representative (DAR) does not maintain a list of businesses seeking skilled migrants nor provides job-matching services. Skilled workers should directly contact businesses to inquire about job opportunities.
Q3. What visa streams are available under the Goldfields DAMA?
- The DAMA allows for sponsorship through the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482), the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186), and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) visa (subclass 494). For detailed information on these visas, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Q4. Must workers migrating under the DAMA live in the Goldfields region?
- Yes, all workers sponsored through the Goldfields DAMA are required to live and work within the Goldfields DAMA region.
Q5. Are FIFO (Fly-In, Fly-Out) or DIDO (Drive-In, Drive-Out) roles eligible under the DAMA?
- No, FIFO and DIDO positions are not eligible under the Goldfields DAMA. All roles must be based in the Goldfields region.
Q6. What if I have advertised twice but still found the applicants unsuitable after interviews?
- If you have conducted the required advertisements and Labour Market Testing, but the candidates were unsuitable, you have fulfilled the advertising requirements and are still eligible to apply for the DAMA.
Q7. What are the fees for applying under the DAMA?
- There is a non-refundable processing fee of $259 (including GST) per nominated position. You will receive an invoice for this fee.
Q8. How long does it take to process DAMA applications?
- The Goldfields DAR aims to process endorsement applications within approximately 10 working days if all required information and documents are complete. The subsequent stages of the application process are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. For updates on these stages, check the Department of Home Affairs processing times page.
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