DAMA helps Aspen Living Karratha scale new heights

When Aspen Living Karratha Property Manager Jamie Lyons first heard of the Pilbara Designated Area Migration Agreement at an event in 2023, her interest was piqued immediately.

Like many Pilbara businesses, the motel-style accommodation provider was having great difficulty sourcing and retaining long-term staff. Competition for local workers was fierce and matching the salaries and benefits offered by other industries wasn’t realistic.

Being able to access a broader labour pool via the DAMA sounded like an ideal solution.

And so it has proved two years on, with Aspen taking the opportunity to recruit Sous Chef Krishnil and Bar Supervisor Abby to meet long-term needs.

“Accessing DAMA-sponsored employees has had a transformative impact on our operations,” Jamie explained.

“Having committed, long-term staff has allowed our business to flourish, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly and consistently.

“Our DAMA employees have been highly proficient in their roles, bringing reliability, skill, and continuity to our team. These elements were previously very difficult to secure in the local labour market.”

Krishnil, who comes from the Fiji Islands and moved to the Pilbara four years ago, has relished the chance to continue developing his skills in the kitchen and be part of the tight-knit Aspen team.

“My favourite thing about working here is the stability and the supportive work environment that I get to be a part of,” he said.

“The DAMA has given me the chance to gain long-term work stability at a great company, access to professional development, and the ability to contribute more effectively to my team, the business and the local community.

“I appreciate the safe, welcoming community in the Pilbara and the peaceful environment, which allows me to maintain a good work-life balance while enjoying the natural surroundings.”

Abby, who hails from Scotland, arrived in the Pilbara with some awareness of local industries and landscapes but says experiencing the region up-close has been a real eye-opener.

Her partner Dylan has also been sponsored by Aspen on a spousal visa and is employed as a grounds and maintenance worker.

In addition to continuing to build their careers and planning for a future in Australia, the couple have relished the opportunity to foster SAFE pets at Aspen.

 “We knew the Pilbara was hot - all the time - and very different from the Scottish Highlands,” Abby said.

“But we didn’t fully understand just how vast and unique the region was until we arrived.

“We are loving living in the Pilbara – sacred land, beautiful untouched beaches and the community spirit is alive and well.

“Our favourite aspect of working here is the stability it provides, along with a genuinely supportive and encouraging work environment. We are able to focus on our roles, continue developing our skills, and we feel valued as part of a great team.

“There is a strong sense of collaboration, which makes coming to work enjoyable and rewarding.”

First introduced in May 2022, the DAMA is a flexible and tailored response to unique economic and labour market pressures being experienced in the Pilbara.

It provides Pilbara businesses who have been unable to fill positions locally with additional access to skilled and semi-skilled workers beyond standard skilled migration pathways. Employers obtain their own labour agreement, which is valid for five years, providing pre-approval for a variety of occupations.

The Pilbara DAMA – local administration of which is overseen by RDA Pilbara - has been an enormous success. It expanded to the Shire of East Pilbara in 2024 after initially launching in the City of Karratha and the Town of Port Hedland, and has grown to 146 occupations from an initial list of 66.

More than 1900 people have been endorsed to work in the Pilbara under the DAMA, helping alleviate some critical labour shortages and adding to local communities.

The DAMA has been a game-changer for Aspen Living Karratha and Jamie happily recommends it to other businesses.

“The DAMA provides a practical, long-term solution to workforce shortages and allows businesses to build a stable, committed team,” she said.

“Our advice is to engage early with the DAMA team, seek support where needed, and view the process as an investment in the long-term success of your operations. The certainty and continuity it provides far outweighs the effort involved in the application process.”

For more information about the Pilbara DAMA and how it can help your business, please visit: https://www.rdapilbara.org.au/dama

You can also contact Natalie at RDA Pilbara – projects@rdapilbara.org.au