A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a Designated Area Representative (DAR), in this case, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Pilbara.
The Pilbara DAMA lets employers in the City of Karratha and Town of Port Hedland sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers. It is tailored to address current and emerging labour market shortages and local terms and conditions of employment.
The Pilbara DAMA is a two-tier framework covering the City of Karratha and Town of Port Hedland. The first tier is an overarching five-year deed of agreement (Pilbara DAMA head agreement) between the Australian Government and RDA Pilbara. The second tier comprises individual labour agreements with employers under the settings of the Pilbara DAMA head agreement.
The Pilbara DAMA head agreement specifies a range of eligible occupations, as well as agreed terms and concessions to the skilled visa eligibility criteria. Businesses within the City of Karratha and the Town of Port Hedland may seek individual DAMA labour agreements under the head agreement terms and concessions.
The Pilbara DAMA provides access to more occupations than the standard skilled migration programs. Since it operates under an agreement-based framework, the Pilbara DAMA is adapted to meet the unique economic and labour market needs of our region.
The Pilbara DAMA ensures employers recruit Australian citizens and permanent residents as a first priority. Amongst other things, employers must demonstrate a genuine attempt to recruit Australians prior to getting access to a DAMA labour agreement.
How does the Pilbara DAMA work?
The Pilbara DAMA is an employer-sponsored program that operates under the labour agreement streams allowing endorsed businesses to nominate and sponsor overseas skilled workers under one or more of the following visa programs:
-
Temporary Skills Shortage visa (TSS subclass 482);
-
Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional visa (SESR subclass 494); and
-
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS subclass 186).
To access the Pilbara DAMA, employers must first seek and gain endorsement from the Designated Area Representative (DAR) being Regional Development Australia (RDA) Pilbara before lodging a labour agreement request with the Department of Home Affairs.
Where a DAMA labour agreement is approved, the business will be able to nominate and sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers for one or more occupations listed in the Pilbara DAMA.
The Pilbara DAMA ensures employers recruit Australian citizens and permanent residents as a first priority. Amongst other things, employers must demonstrate a genuine attempt to recruit Australians prior to getting access to a DAMA labour agreement.
STEP 1 - Preparation
Prepare all information and documentation required for your application
STEP 2 - Submission
Submit your application via the RDA Pilbara website or by email
STEP 3 - Assessment and Outcomes
The DAR will assess your application and advise if your nomination is granted
STEP 4 - Visa Application
Make your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs
