Australian Immigration Daily News

The designated area migration agreement (DAMA) programme has been developed to supplement the workforce strategies of states, territories and regions, to support economic performance and help them adjust to changing economic conditions.

The DAMA is a two-tier agreement: the first tier consists of an overarching five-year deed of agreement with a designated area representative setting out occupations, ceilings and concessions; and the second tier comprising individual labour agreements with direct employers.

DAMAs establish collaborative arrangements, with shared roles and responsibilities, between the Australian Government and regional or state and territory authorities. 

The overarching nature of a DAMA allows employers streamlined access to a broader range of overseas workers than available through the standard subclass 482 visa programme, without the need to individually negotiate terms and conditions. DAMAs are attractive to small businesses which may not have the resources to develop a labour agreement directly with the government.

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Australian Government have reached agreement on the Goldfields Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), which was approved by Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, David Coleman, in March 2019.

The Goldfields DAMA is a five year labour agreement between the Federal Government, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Shires of Coolgardie, Leonora and Menzies. The Goldfields DAMA aims to attract skilled migrants to work and live in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Coolgardie, Kambalda, Leonora, Menzies, Kookynie and Ora Banda, allowing Goldfields employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers in specified industries that are currently experiencing critical skill and labour shortages.

It is understood that The Goldfields DAMA secured 72 occupations across multiple industries. These are not limited to the mining industry.  The approved list of skilled workers includes jobs such as childcare workers, hospitality supervisors and disability worker to help fill the shortages in these industries.

Join me tomorrow for a special webinar covering this DAMA as well as details on the full occupation list included in the agreement.

https://legaltrainingaustralia.com/webinar-cpd/

The agreement is due to commence in June 2019.

https://www.ckb.wa.gov.au/