Designated Area Migration Agreement
Western Australia DAMA
Western Australia DAMA, launched July 2024: every postcode outside Perth, covering mining, resources, agriculture, health, construction and hospitality.
Endorsing Authority
Department of Training and Workforce Development (Migration Services WA)
English Concession
Skill level 3 to 4 occupations only: IELTS 5.0 with no minimum band for 482 and 494; IELTS 5.0 with no band below 4.0 for 186
Age Concession
Maximum age raised from 45 to 55
Salary Concession
No TSMIT/CSIT concession listed; salary evidence at $79,423 (July 2026) is required
Key industries in the Western Australia
Industries Covered
Construction, health, mining and resources, agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing, transport, community services
Occupation Note
Two designated area categories: Category 2 metropolitan Perth postcodes (skill levels 1 to 4, 50% of places, three year work experience for permanent pathways) and Category 3 covering every other WA postcode with a broader list and shorter pathway. Occupations covered by an active regional WA DAMA must go through that DAMA.
The endorsement process
Migration Services WA does not charge an endorsement fee. Employers register on the Migration WA Portal, verify as an employer, and lodge the endorsement application online; an approved endorsement is valid for 12 months, and Perth based employers must show sponsored migrants will not exceed 50% of their workforce.
How the Western Australia DAMA works
The Western Australia DAMA is the state’s fifth DAMA and the only one covering the whole state, with the Department of Training and Workforce Development, through Migration Services, as Designated Area Representative. Its designated area has two categories: Category 2, the metropolitan Perth postcodes, which receives 50% of places and focuses on skill levels 1 to 3 with some skill level 4 and non-ANZSCO occupations; and Category 3, every other WA postcode, which offers a broader list, lesser work experience requirements and a shorter pathway to permanent residence. Where an occupation is available under an active regional DAMA (Goldfields, Kimberley, Pilbara or South West) and the business is in that region, endorsement must be sought from that regional representative.
The concessions are an age limit raised from 45 to 55, work experience of one year for the subclass 482 visa and two years (regional) or three years (Perth) for the subclass 494 and 186 visas, and an English concession for skill level 3 and 4 occupations of IELTS 5.0 with no minimum band for the subclass 482 and 494 visas and no band below 4.0 for the subclass 186. Skill level 1 and 2 occupations have no English concession, and the concession may be refused for client facing or safety critical roles. The eligibility criteria require salary evidence at the TSMIT/CSIT of $79,423 from July 2026; no salary concession is listed.
Migration Services does not charge an endorsement fee. The application is lodged through the Migration WA Portal after employer verification, an approved endorsement is valid for 12 months, fly in fly out positions between regions are excluded, and a Perth based employer must show that sponsored migrants will not exceed 50% of its workforce. A subclass 482 or 494 holder originally nominated under the WA DAMA can be nominated for the subclass 186 visa after three years in Perth or two years in regional WA, without labour market testing at that stage.
Visa Plan Lawyers and the Western Australia DAMA
Visa Plan Lawyers determines whether a WA employer's postcode and occupation fall under the statewide WA DAMA or one of the four regional agreements, then prepares the Migration Services endorsement application and the labour agreement request that follows.
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.