Pilbara DAMA: Designated Area Migration Agreement Guide

The Pilbara is one of the most important economic regions in Australia, thanks to its resources and energy sectors.
Pilbara towns and communities experience rapid growth during mining ‘booms’ as migrants from across Australia and overseas move to the area to take up employment opportunities. In addition, the region sustains a large population of fly-in-fly-out workers who generate demand for local services. Despite the population growth, government, non-government and private organisations have been unable to attract enough workers to deliver services during the economic peaks. Local employers are unable to compete with the attractive salaries offered by resources companies, and many small operators struggle to survive.

As one of a range of strategies to address workforce shortages during peak periods, the Pilbara Regional Council proposed a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). This is an agreement between the Federal Government and a regional authority. It establishes the process for the sponsorship of workers from outside Australia into that regional area. The PRC’s draft DAMA covered labour categories including community and personal service workers, clerical and administrative workers, sales workers and labourers. The Pilbara DAMA was signed on 28 March 2022 and was expanded by a variation in January 2024. Regional Development Australia (RDA) Pilbara is the Designated Area Representative.

Am I eligible for a TSS visa?

Desired objective (original proposal)

Establish the Pilbara Designated Area Migration Agreement.

Key results (original proposal)

Establish a relationship with a labour supply region that is similar in climate and remoteness to the Pilbara, and can offer English-speaking staff in a range of disciplines.
Create a successful partnership with an offshore processing centre that can administer skill-based testing, and offer video interview facilities for Pilbara LGA hiring managers.
Set up a successful partnership with a sponsored migration-processing firm to expedite visa handling and country induction.
Have ‘work-ready’ and ‘visa-tethered’ staff delivered to Pilbara LGAs for a variety of vacant positions at a hiring cost equal or less compared to WA-based.

Am I eligible for a TSS visa?

Pilbara DAMA in 2026: key facts

Designated Area Representative	Regional Development Australia (RDA) Pilbara
Agreement	Signed 28 March 2022, expanded by a variation approved in January 2024
Region	City of Karratha, Town of Port Hedland and Shire of East Pilbara
Occupations	Around 146 eligible occupations. The current list is available from RDA Pilbara.
Possible concessions	Age up to 55 for skill level 1 to 4 occupations and up to 50 for skill level 5 (494 and 186 pathways); English concessions for listed occupations; income threshold up to 10% lower for some skill level 3 to 5 roles
Visas used	Labour agreement streams of the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa and the Subclass 494 visa, with a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 186 visa (or the 191 visa for 494 holders).

Concessions are not automatic. The Designated Area Representative decides which concessions it will support for each position, and the final terms are set in the employer’s labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

How the DAMA process works

Check the occupation and location. The position must be on the DAMA occupation list and based in the DAMA region.
Recruit locally first. The employer must show genuine but unsuccessful attempts to fill the job with Australian citizens or permanent residents (labour market testing).
Apply for endorsement. The employer applies to the Designated Area Representative, which assesses the business, the position and any concessions requested.
Request a labour agreement. With the endorsement, the employer asks the Department of Home Affairs for a DAMA labour agreement.
Nominate the worker. Once the agreement is in place, the employer nominates the worker under the labour agreement stream of the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa or the Subclass 494 visa, and the worker applies for the visa.
Plan for permanent residence. After working in the region for the required period, the worker may move to the Subclass 186 visa (labour agreement stream) or, from the 494, to the Subclass 191 visa.

On 7 December 2024, the Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. References to the TSS visa on this page relate to the earlier program.

Can I apply for a DAMA visa myself?

No. A DAMA is an employer-sponsored program. You need an employer in the region who has a DAMA labour agreement and is willing to nominate you.

Which visas can be granted under a DAMA?

DAMA positions are filled through the labour agreement streams of the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa and the Subclass 494 visa, with a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 186 visa (or the 191 visa for 494 holders).

Do I have to live and work in the DAMA region?

Yes. You must work for your sponsoring employer in the DAMA region. Moving away or changing employer without a new nomination can put your visa and your permanent residence pathway at risk.

What concessions can a DAMA offer?

Depending on the agreement and the occupation, concessions can include a higher age limit for permanent residence, lower English requirements and a reduced income threshold. Each concession must be supported by the Designated Area Representative and approved in the labour agreement.

How can VisaEnvoy help?

We help employers check eligibility, prepare the endorsement and labour agreement request, and lodge nominations and visa applications. Book a video consultation to discuss your situation.