South West Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
South-West DAMA Overview
The South-West region entered into a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) with the Commonwealth Government to help address ongoing workforce and skills shortages across the region.
The South-West DAMA commenced in January 2022 following its signing in December 2021. An updated agreement with an expanded list of occupations came into effect in August 2024.
The DAMA is available to businesses operating within the designated South-West region that have been unable to source suitably skilled workers locally to fill positions within their workforce. Through the Labour Agreement framework, eligible businesses may be able to access:
- a broader range of occupations; and
- concessions not generally available under standard employer-sponsored visa programs.
Transition to the WA DAMA
The Department of Home Affairs has advised that the South-West DAMA will not be renewed beyond its current term, which is due to expire in December 2026.
At this stage, new Labour Agreement applications and variations to existing agreements can still be submitted until October 2026.
The South-West DAMA will transition to the WA DAMA, with the Shire of Dardanup continuing to work alongside the Department of Home Affairs and the WA State DAMA team to support businesses during this transition.
Existing South-West DAMA Labour Agreements and visa arrangements will remain in place for their approved duration.
Applying for the South-West DAMA
Businesses seeking to access the DAMA must first submit an application to the Shire of Dardanup, which is the appointed Designated Area Representative (DAR) for the South-West DAMA. A successful endorsement then allows businesses to apply for a Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
Businesses operating within the following local government areas are eligible to apply for endorsement under the South-West DAMA:
| City of Bunbury | Shire of Collie |
| City of Busselton | Shire of Dardanup |
| Shire of Augusta-Margaret River | Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup |
| Shire of Boyup Brook | Shire of Harvey |
| Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes | Shire of Manjimup |
| Shire of Capel | Shire of Nannup |
For further information, contact the Shire of Dardanup at dama@dardanup.wa.gov.au or visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
