The East Kimberley DAMA: Sponsoring Workers in Kununurra, Broome and the Kimberley

Employers from Kununurra to Broome work with a thin local labour market. The East Kimberley DAMA gives them another option. So this guide sets out its published terms.

Kimberley DAMA terms checked on 21 September 2026. DAMA terms are reviewed each year. Therefore, always confirm the current position with the East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry before you act.

One agreement, two names

Home Affairs still lists this agreement as the East Kimberley DAMA. However the representative now calls it the Kimberley DAMA. That change followed variations approved on 22 December 2023.

Those variations widened the designated area well beyond the East Kimberley. So both names describe one agreement.

A Designated Area Migration Agreement lets a region set its own occupation list and concessions. Home Affairs currently lists 13 DAMAs in place. Our plain guide to DAMAs explains the wider framework. Meanwhile our Victorian DAMA overview shows how differently two regions draft one.

Who the agreement covers

The designated area covers four Western Australian local government areas. They are the Shires of Wyndham East Kimberley, Broome, Derby-West Kimberley and Halls Creek.

Your business must have operated lawfully inside that area for at least 12 months. However the chamber will consider exceptions case by case. In addition, the positions must sit inside the area.

Importantly, chamber membership is not a condition of access. It only changes the fee.

The occupation list

The current list is version 6.1, in force from 24 October 2025. We counted 193 occupation entries on it on 21 September 2026.

There are 47 entries at skill level 1 and 30 at level 2. Then come 47, 51 and 18 at levels 3, 4 and 5.

Seven entries are non-ANZSCO roles coded 070499. Four are Bar Manager, Bar Supervisor, Waiter (Supervisor) and Cafe or Restaurant Supervisor. Then come Commercial Cleaner (Supervisor), Commercial Housekeeper (Supervisor) and Operations and Client Experience Officer (Aviation).

The concessions, occupation by occupation

Concessions are never automatic. You must request each one, and the chamber expects evidence.

Salary

A salary concession is flagged on 116 of the 193 entries. Reduced CSIT or TSMIT means 90 per cent of the threshold.

Under Type 1, monetary earnings and total earnings both reach that reduced figure. Under Type 2, monetary earnings reach the reduced figure. Non-monetary food and board then add no more than 10 per cent, so the total reaches the full threshold.

The representative publishes no dollar figure. However Home Affairs sets the CSIT and TSMIT at AUD79,423. That covers nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Ninety per cent of it is about AUD71,481. Meanwhile the annual market salary rate still governs where it is higher.

English

An English concession is flagged on 70 of the 193 entries. For the 482 and 494, it allows an IELTS average of 5.0 with no minimum component. For the 186, no component may fall below 4.0.

OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge CAE are also accepted. However registration or licensing rules can still demand more.

Age

An age concession appears on every entry. Workers must not have turned 55 for skill level 1 to 4 occupations, or 50 for skill level 5.

Those ages apply to the 494 and the 186 at nomination. The 482 has no age requirement. Importantly, you must request the concession up front, otherwise the limit of 45 applies.

Skills and experience

Each occupation sits in one of seven categories. For Category 1, one year of full-time experience can suffice for the 482 and 494. However you need an Australian qualification.

Experience must also fall within the last five years. Finally, skills assessments are mandatory for Categories 3 to 7.

The Kimberley DAMA at a glance

Fees and timing

The chamber charges AUD885 including GST per position for members. Non-members pay AUD985 per position. A variation or a rollover then costs AUD275 including GST.

The chamber aims to finalise properly prepared requests within ten business days. Its overview page quotes five working days instead. Consequently ten days is the safer planning figure.

Home Affairs does not charge for the labour agreement request. Nomination then costs AUD330 for the 482 and AUD540 for the 186.

The Skilling Australians Fund levy also applies. It adds AUD1,200 or AUD1,800 a year for the 482, by turnover. For the 186 and 494 it is AUD3,000 or AUD5,000 once. Visa charges then start at AUD4,015 for the 482 and AUD6,140 for the 186.

The four steps

First, you request endorsement from the chamber. Then you lodge a labour agreement request through ImmiAccount. Next you nominate workers against the approved occupations. Finally each worker lodges a visa application.

Labour agreements generally run for five years. Each one states how many positions you may nominate each year. However the representative publishes no ceiling for the region.

Usefully, you need no worker identified before you start. Instead you can pre-approve positions and recruit afterwards.

What the chamber weighs

Five points drive the assessment. First come your 12 months of lawful operation and your genuine need. Then follow labour market testing, salary and conditions, and each concession sought.

Testing must cover every occupation sought. In addition, it must fall in the previous 12 months. The representative treats the Kimberley as a Category 3 region.

The agreement also has limits. It cannot fill seasonal or casual roles, because it targets full-time permanent positions. Individuals cannot apply alone.

Permanent residence pathways

Every occupation on the list may have a permanent pathway. For example, a 482 holder may become eligible for the 186 after two years.

That work must be full-time and inside the designated area. It must also be in the same or a closely related occupation. Then the permanent step needs its own endorsement.

A 494 holder may instead reach the subclass 191 after three years. That pathway needs no further endorsement.

Kimberley DAMA or WA DAMA

Both are open to Kimberley employers. The state-wide agreement covers occupations the local list does not. Our Western Australia DAMA guide sets out its terms. Meanwhile the South West WA DAMA is winding down.

Frequently asked questions

Which areas does the East Kimberley DAMA cover?

It covers four Western Australian local government areas. They are the Shires of Wyndham East Kimberley, Broome, Derby-West Kimberley and Halls Creek.

What does endorsement cost?

The chamber charges AUD885 including GST per position for members. Non-members pay AUD985 per position. A variation or rollover costs AUD275 including GST.

Can an overseas worker apply directly?

No. Only employers with a genuine skill shortage can access the agreement. They may then nominate workers.

Does the Kimberley DAMA lead to permanent residence?

Every occupation on the list may have a permanent pathway. A 482 holder may become eligible for the 186 after two years. A 494 holder may instead reach the subclass 191 after three years.

Sam Kanjo, Migration Lawyer, Skyline Migration Lawyers, Melbourne.

Talk to us about a Kimberley DAMA

Skyline Migration Lawyers helps employers scope endorsement requests and labour agreements. Call 03 8108 8748 or email info@skylinemigrationlawyers.com.au to discuss your positions.

This article is general information only. It is not legal advice and does not consider your circumstances. Please seek tailored advice before you act. DAMA terms and Commonwealth figures also change. Therefore, confirm the current position with the chamber and Home Affairs.