East Kimberley DAMA

The Kimberley DAMA is an agreement between the East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EKCCI) and the Federal Government under which employers operating in the Kimberley region can access a broader range of occupations than standard skilled migration, with concessions to experience, age, English and in some cases salary. The Occupations and Concessions List in force from 24 October 2025 marks, for each of more than 190 occupations, whether a TSMIT/CSIT concession, an English concession and an age concession of 55 or 50 apply.

The Information Guide states the English concession as an average IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component for the subclass 482 and 494 visas and an average 5.0 with no band below 4.0 for the subclass 186, and the age concession as not having turned 55 (skill levels 1 to 4) or 50 (skill level 5) at nomination for the subclass 494 and 186 visas. An age concession must be requested at endorsement or a nominee over 45 cannot be nominated for those visas. Labour market testing under the Kimberley DAMA is more flexible and has a longer validity than under standard skilled migration, and permanent visa pathways may be available for every listed occupation.

To be endorsed, a business must have operated lawfully in the designated area for at least 12 months unless exceptional circumstances exist, show a genuine need and genuine labour market testing, and offer salary and conditions at least equivalent to an Australian’s in the Kimberley. The fee is $885 (GST inclusive) per position for members of any Kimberley based chamber of commerce and $985 for non-members, with a flat $275 for a variation or rollover, and a complete request is generally finalised within five working days. The labour agreement is usually valid for five years and can be varied as business needs change.