The South West WA DAMA: A Guide for Bunbury and South West Employers
The South West DAMA has helped employers from Harvey to Manjimup sponsor staff since 2022. However it is now winding down. This guide sets out its terms and the dates that matter.
South West DAMA terms checked on 18 September 2026. DAMA terms change, so always confirm the current position with the Shire of Dardanup before you act.
The deadline South West employers need to know
The DAR has posted a clear notice. The DAMA closes to new applications on Friday 30 October 2026. Variation requests from existing labour agreement holders close on the same day.
The reason is simple. The head agreement expires on 14 December 2026. In addition, Home Affairs has told the DAR it will not renew the agreement.
The DAR says it will work with Home Affairs and the WA DAMA team on a smooth transition. Meanwhile existing labour agreements keep their terms for their full duration. Visa conditions also stay the same, and permanent pathways remain open for those who need them.
So a business that wants in has about six weeks. After that, the state-wide WA DAMA becomes the main regional option. Our guide to the Western Australia DAMA explains how that agreement works.
What the South West DAMA is
A Designated Area Migration Agreement lets a region set its own occupation list and concessions. Home Affairs lists 13 DAMAs in place nationally. Our plain guide to DAMAs explains the wider framework.
The South West DAMA was signed in December 2021 and took effect in January 2022. An updated agreement with more occupations then took effect in November 2024. The Shire of Dardanup acts as the Designated Area Representative, or DAR.
Who the South West DAMA covers
Twelve local government areas take part. They are the Cities of Bunbury and Busselton and the Shires of Augusta Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes and Capel. The Shires of Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey, Manjimup and Nannup complete the list.
In addition, the position must sit inside those areas. The worker must also live and work there.
The occupation list
We counted the DAR’s current list on 18 September 2026 and found 127 occupations. They range from skill level 1 roles, such as registered nurses, to skill level 5 farm work.
Overall, the DAR’s 2024 annual report names cooks and child care workers as the most nominated roles. Two entries sit outside ANZSCO: Bar Attendant (Supervisor) and Waiter (Supervisor).
The concessions on offer
Importantly, concessions are not automatic. Instead, the employer must make a business case for each occupation and each concession.
Salary
The DAR offers two salary concession types. Under Type 1, earnings must reach at least 90 per cent of the TSMIT. Type 2 also counts food and board, capped at 10 per cent of the TSMIT. In that case, total earnings must reach the full TSMIT.
Home Affairs set the TSMIT and CSIT at AUD79,423 from 1 July 2026. Therefore 90 per cent is about AUD71,481 on our arithmetic. The concession appears on 68 of the 127 occupations. Pay must still meet the award or local market rate, whichever is higher.
English language
The English concession appears on 64 occupations. For the 482 and the 494, it allows an average IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component score. However licensing can still demand more.
By contrast, the 186 keeps the standard English requirement. The DAR also accepts OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge CAE.
Age
The DAR lists an age limit of 55 for skill level 1 to 4 occupations. For skill level 5 occupations, the limit is 50. Meanwhile the 482 itself has no age limit, so the concession matters most for the 494.
Experience
Experience rules vary by table. For the 482, one year of full-time experience can be enough where the qualification or experience was gained in Australia. For the 494, the DAR generally asks for two years. In all cases, experience must fall within the last five years.
South West DAMA at a glance
| Item | South West DAMA position, checked 18 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Covered area | 12 local government areas, from Harvey to Manjimup |
| Occupations | 127, including two outside ANZSCO |
| Salary concession | 90 per cent of TSMIT, on 68 occupations |
| English concession | IELTS 5.0 average for the 482 and 494, on 64 occupations |
| Age concession | 55 for skill level 1 to 4, and 50 for skill level 5 |
| Annual ceiling | Not published by the DAR |
| DAR endorsement fee | AUD290 including GST per position, non refundable |
| Closing date | 30 October 2026 for new applications and variations |
Which employers qualify
First, the business must have traded in the region for at least 12 months. It must also be financially viable. Labour hire firms cannot use the DAMA, so only direct employers qualify.
Likewise, each worker must be a full-time, direct employee. Pay and conditions must match an Australian doing the same work. In addition, the employer must show that suitable housing is available nearby.
Labour market testing
First, employers must try to recruit locally. The DAR’s checklist asks for at least two job advertisements from the last 12 months. Each must run for at least four weeks.
Employers also complete a recruitment summary. It lists where they advertised, how many people applied and why applicants missed out.
How endorsement works
The process has four steps. First, the employer emails the endorsement form and documents to the DAR. Next, it requests a labour agreement from Home Affairs. After that come the nomination and the visa application.
At the first step, the DAR charges AUD290 including GST for each position. Endorsement can last up to five years. However the occupations and numbers approved cover the first year only, so employers reapply each year.
Home Affairs charges then apply. Sponsorship costs AUD420, a 482 nomination AUD330 and a 186 nomination AUD540. The 482 visa starts from AUD4,015, and the 186 and 494 from AUD6,140. Labour agreement sponsors also pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
The permanent residence pathway
The DAR states that every occupation carries a permanent pathway. Since August 2024, a 482 holder may move to the 186 after two years on a South West DAMA 482. They must work in the region for that whole period.
Alternatively, a 494 holder can apply for the 191 independently after three years. For the full picture, read our guide to the DAMA permanent residency pathway.
How it compares with nearby DAMAs
In fact, each DAMA has its own list and concessions. For example, the Goldfields DAMA covers Kalgoorlie and seven nearby shires. Victoria runs two regional agreements, explained in our Victorian DAMA overview.
Frequently asked questions
When does the South West DAMA close?
The DAR will stop taking new applications and variation requests on Friday 30 October 2026. The head agreement expires on 14 December 2026.
What happens to existing South West DAMA labour agreements?
The DAR says existing labour agreements keep their terms for their full duration. Visa conditions stay the same, and permanent pathways remain available.
Does the Shire of Dardanup charge a fee?
Yes. The endorsement fee is AUD290 including GST per position nominated. It is non refundable.
Can a worker apply for the South West DAMA directly?
No. The DAMA is an agreement with employers, not a visa. A worker needs a job with a South West business willing to sponsor them.
Sam Kanjo, Migration Lawyer, Skyline Migration Lawyers, Melbourne.
Talk to us before 30 October
We help South West employers scope positions, build the endorsement evidence and lodge labour agreement requests. Call 03 8108 8748 or email info@skylinemigrationlawyers.com.au.
This article is general information only. It is not legal advice and does not address your circumstances. DAMA terms change, so seek tailored advice before you act.
For employers: how we run sponsorship and DAMA matters
The seven stages, who does what, how documents are collected, privacy, payments, and a working cost estimator. See how we work with employers.
