DESIGNATED AREA MIGRATION AGREEMENT
DAMA
The Pilbara Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)
The Pilbara DAMA helps to address critical labour shortages in our region. It provides new pathways for employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers and is tailored to address current and emerging labour market shortages with concessions to attract overseas workers to the region.,
The Pilbara DAMA is a five-year labour agreement between the Federal Government and Regional Development Australia Pilbara (RDA Pilbara), developed in partnership with the City of Karratha and the Town of Port Hedland.
Why use a DAMA?
There is currently a skills shortage being experienced in the Pilbara region. Travel restrictions within WA resulting from State Government mandates to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the community as well as a booming resources sector have meant some business sectors within the Pilbara have been finding it challenging to hire local skilled labour.
The Pilbara DAMA exists to provide businesses in the City of Karratha and the Town of Port Hedland with a mechanism to address its current workforce shortages and to support future workforce planning. It allows employers who are unable to find a suitably qualified Australian to supplement their workforce with overseas workers. As the overseas worker is being sponsored through a labour agreement, it ensures the terms and conditions they receive are no less favourable than those provided to Australian workers. This provides protection for both employers and employees.
Users of the Pilbara DAMA
Businesses can access the Pilbara DAMA if they are actively operating in the City of Karratha or Town of Port Hedland and:
-
are viable and have been operating for at least 12 months;
-
have no history of not meeting its obligations to employees;
-
are looking to employ overseas workers to fill full-time positions with duties that align with one of the occupations on the Pilbara DAMA list;
-
can demonstrate they cannot fill the position locally with Australian citizens or permanent residents;
-
can provide terms and conditions of employment to overseas workers that are in accordance with those offered to Australian workers employed in the region.
