Designated Area Migration Agreement
South West Western Australia DAMA
South West WA DAMA: sponsor overseas workers in agriculture, viticulture, tourism, hospitality and health under modified eligibility criteria.
Endorsing Authority
Shire of Dardanup
English Concession
Average IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component for 482 and 494 on listed occupations; standard requirements apply for 186
Age Concession
55 for most listed occupations; 50 for skill level 5 occupations (494 and 186)
Salary Concession
Type 1: at least 90% of TSMIT; Type 2: at least 90% plus non-monetary earnings of no more than 10%, with a business case
Key industries in the South West Western Australia
Industries Covered
Agriculture and aquaculture, viticulture, tourism and hospitality, health and aged care, construction, automotive trades
Occupation Note
More than 120 occupations across 12 local government areas from Bunbury to Manjimup. The head agreement expires on 14 December 2026 and will not be renewed; new labour agreement requests close in October 2026.
The endorsement process
The Shire of Dardanup requires a summary of genuine recruitment efforts with every endorsement application, then the Department of Home Affairs assesses the labour agreement request, with no variations allowed in the first six months of an agreement. Applications must be lodged by October 2026 so that processing finishes before the head agreement expires on 14 December 2026.
How the South West Western Australia DAMA works
The South West DAMA covers the City of Bunbury, City of Busselton and the Shires of Augusta Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Capel, Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey, Manjimup and Nannup, with the Shire of Dardanup as Designated Area Representative. An updated agreement with an expanded occupation list took effect in November 2024; the published occupation list marks each occupation’s English, TSMIT and age concessions and its skills assessing authority.
The Shire has been told by the Department of Home Affairs that the head agreement, which expires on 14 December 2026, will not be renewed, and that new labour agreement requests and variations can be made until October 2026. Existing labour agreements, visa conditions and permanent pathways continue for their full term, and the region transitions to the statewide WA DAMA administered by the Department of Training and Workforce Development.
Concessions on listed occupations include a TSMIT reduction of 10% where a business case supports it, either as reduced earnings (Type 1) or with non-monetary earnings of no more than 10% (Type 2), an English concession of average IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component for the subclass 482 and 494 visas, and age limits of 55 or 50 shown against each occupation in the list. Since August 2024 every subclass 482 holder under the DAMA may be nominated for the subclass 186 visa after two years, and subclass 494 holders reach the subclass 191 visa after three years. The Shire’s FAQ confirms that a business must have operated for at least 12 months and must supply a summary of genuine recruitment efforts with its endorsement application.
Visa Plan Lawyers and the South West Western Australia DAMA
Visa Plan Lawyers advises South West employers on whether to lodge under the South West DAMA before its October 2026 cut-off or under the statewide WA DAMA, and prepares whichever endorsement and labour agreement request fits.
Reviewed by Visa Plan Lawyers · Last updated: April 2026 · DAMA information sourced from the Department of Home Affairs. DAMA terms, occupation lists, and concessions are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Visa Plan for advice specific to your circumstances.