Build Your Future in Western Australia with the DAMA Program

The WA DAMA program allows employers across regional and metro WA — including Goldfields, Pilbara, Kimberley, and South West — to sponsor overseas workers in high-demand industries. Concessions on age, English, and salary make it easier for employers and skilled workers to connect, with clear pathways to permanent residency.

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Western Australia DAMA

Covers multiple WA regions: Goldfields, Pilbara, Kimberley, South West, and Perth (as Category 2).

PR pathways after 2–3 years

No points test required.

Concessions Avaiable:

Age up to 55 years

Reduced English test scores for certain roles.

Salary concessions below CSIT if AMSR is satisfied.

Family inclusion: Spouse and children can be included with full work, study, and Medicare rights.

Employer endorsement from WA DAMA coordinators is required before nomination.

WA DAMA Program Overview

Western Australia operates multiple DAMA agreements, each covering a specific region or sector:

Goldfields DAMA: Mining, trades, hospitality, and healthcare.

Pilbara DAMA : Resources, engineering, logistics, and skilled trades.

Kimberley DAMA : Tourism, hospitality, aged care, and regional services.

South West DAMA : Agribusiness, construction, and regional industries.

Perth metro - Category 2 : Employers can access certain concessions but must prove shortages.

👉 Each DAMA agreement responds to local skill shortages, providing age, English, and salary concessions to employers who cannot fill roles locally.

Eligibility

For Employers

Employers must:

Must be legally established and operating in WA for 12+ months.

Demonstrate Labour Market Testing (LMT) for each nomination.

Apply for endorsement from the relevant WA DAMA body (e.g., Goldfields Migration Services, Pilbara coordinator).

Lodge a labour agreement with Home Affairs after endorsement.

Comply with sponsorship obligations, including fair wages and workplace laws.

👉 Example: A mining company in Kalgoorlie needing heavy diesel fitters applies via the Goldfields DAMA, then nominates overseas candidates once endorsed.

For Skilled Workers

Workers must:

Occupation must be on the WA DAMA list for the relevant region.

Hold the necessary skills and experience.

Must meet health and character requirements.

Concessions available:

Age: up to 55 years.

English: lower test scores accepted for eligible occupations.

Salary: up to 10–15% below CSIT if AMSR is met.

👉 Example: A chef in Broome may qualify with reduced English scores and be sponsored on a 482, progressing to PR after 2–3 years.

🧭 Step-by-Step Guide for

Employers

Confirm the role is on the WA DAMA list.

Apply for endorsement via the relevant WA DAMA coordinator.

Apply for a labour agreement with Home Affairs.

Nominate the worker under the DAMA agreement.

Skilled Workers

Obtain a job offer from an endorsed WA employer.

Confirm which concessions apply (age, English, salary).

Lodge visa application (482, 494, or 186 – labour agreement stream).

Submit documents: passport, skills assessment (if required), English test, health & police checks.

Await decision (average 6–12 months).

Visa Subclass Pathways

Visa	Duration	PR Pathway	Key Features
Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand Visa	1–4 years (5 for HK/BNO)	Subclass 186 after 2 years	Age up to 50–55, English concessions, lower salary threshold
Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional	Up to 5 years	Subclass 191 after 3 years regional work	Occupations targeted for regional WA
Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)	Permanent	Direct PR (labour agreement stream)	Employer-sponsored, concessions available

👉 Example: An electrician in Pilbara may start on a 494 with salary concessions and apply for PR via 191 after 3 years.

Visa Fees & Charges

WA Government - Fees
Endorsement application	AUD $0
Skills verification	AUD $0
Labour agreement application	AUD $0

Employer Charges (Home Affairs)
Standard business sponsorship (482)	AUD 420
Nomination (482)	AUD 330
Nomination (494)	AUD 330
Nomination (186)	AUD 540

Visa	Turnover < $10m	Turnover ≥ $10m	Notes
482	AUD 1,200 / visa year	AUD 1,800 / visa year	Per visa year
494	AUD 3,000	AUD 5,000	One-off
186	AUD 3,000	AUD 5,000	One-off

Visa Application Charges (VAC)

Visa Subclass	Primary (AUD)	Adult ≥18 (AUD)	Child <18 (AUD)	Notes
Subclass 186	4,910	2,455	1,230	Fixed
Subclass 482	1,980–3,235	990–1,615	500–810	Stream dependent
Subclass 494	See Visa Pricing Table			View table

👉 Example (WA employer sponsoring a 482 mechanic for 2 years, turnover <$10m):

Sponsorship + nomination = AUD 750

SAF levy = AUD 2,400

Visa fee ≈ AUD 2,645 (primary applicant)

➡ Approx. AUD 5,795 total before health/police checks.

Subclass 494: Refer to DHA Visa Pricing Table (indexed annually).

Primary	AUD 4,910
Dependent over 18	AUD 2,455
Dependent Under 18	AUD 1,230

💡 Use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for current charges.

Family Members You Can Include

Family Members

Spouse or De Facto Partner: Full work rights in Australia

Dependent Children under 18: Access to schooling and Medicare.

Older dependents: May be included if financially dependent, with PR options under subclass 191 or 186.

👉 Family must be included in the initial application or may need to apply later as a subsequent entrant.

Common Mistakes ✅ Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Employers forgetting to apply through the correct regional DAMA coordinator.

Submitting incomplete Labour Market Testing evidence.

Confusing WA DAMA concessions with Skilled Migration criteria. .

Tips for Strong Application

Always check if your occupation is region-specific (e.g., Goldfields vs South West).

Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator for updated fees.

Seek early advice to avoid delays in labour agreement steps.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WA DAMA program?

It’s a migration agreement for multiple WA regions, allowing employers to sponsor overseas workers with tailored concessions

Which regions are included?

Goldfields, Pilbara, Kimberley, South West, and Perth metro (Category 2).

What visas are available?

Subclass 482, 494, and 186 via labour agreement streams.

What concessions apply?

Salary, age (up to 55), and English test concessions.

What is the PR pathway?

482 → 186 after 2 years; 494 → 191 after 3 years.

Do I need to pass the points test?

No, DAMA visas are employer-sponsored.

What industries are targeted?

Mining, construction, healthcare, hospitality, and agriculture.

Are there WA Government fees?

No, endorsement and labour agreement requests are free.

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.