Unlock Australia’s South West Migration Opportunities: In-Demand Occupations for 2024

Explore the South West DAMA Occupation List for August 2024, featuring industries, skill levels, and available concessions for Australia’s skilled migration.

Aug 26, 2024 - 14:18
Aug 26, 2024 - 20:51
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The South-West region has established a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) with the Australian Government to tackle the ongoing skills shortages in the area.

Signed in December 2021, the South-West DAMA became effective in January 2022. It offers businesses within the designated South-West region an opportunity to access a broader range of occupations and concessions not typically available through standard skilled visa programs. This is particularly beneficial for employers who have advertised locally but have been unable to fill certain positions with qualified workers.

To participate, businesses must first apply through the Shire of Dardanup, the appointed Designated Area Representative (DAR) for the South-West DAMA. Upon receiving a positive endorsement, businesses can then apply for a Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

Eligible businesses in the following local government areas can apply for DAMA endorsement and a South-West DAMA Labour Agreement:

  • City of Bunbury
  • City of Busselton
  • Shire of Augusta Margaret River
  • Shire of Boyup Brook
  • Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
  • Shire of Capel
  • Shire of Collie
  • Shire of Dardanup
  • Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
  • Shire of Harvey
  • Shire of Manjimup
  • Shire of Nannup

Why DAMA?

Although Australian workers are prioritized, the current skills shortage in the South-West region makes employer-sponsored overseas workers a viable solution. The South-West DAMA helps businesses address workforce shortages and supports future workforce planning by granting access to a wider range of occupations and concessions.

Since the Labour Agreement requires sponsorship, it ensures that the terms and conditions offered to overseas workers are no less favorable than those provided to Australian workers, safeguarding both employers and employees.

According to a Business Confidence Survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA), 31% of businesses identified skilled labour shortages as a significant barrier to growth, making it the top concern.

Employers participating in a Labour Agreement are also required to contribute to the Skilling Australians Fund levy, which supports the promotion and training of Australian workers.

Occupations in Demand (Updated August 2024)

Below is a list of occupations currently in demand within the South-West. Only these occupations are eligible for nomination under the South-West DAMA. Applications for endorsement must include thorough evidence of attempts to recruit a suitably qualified Australian worker, which should also be provided to the Department of Home Affairs during the Labour Agreement and Nomination stages.

For more details on Labour Market Testing requirements, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

South-West DAMA Occupation List by Industry Area - August 2024

Here's the table for the South West DAMA Occupation List grouped by Industry Area - August 2024:

ANZSCO or 6 Digit Code Occupation Skill Level TSMIT Concession Available (10%) English Language Concession Available Age Limit (SESR and ENS only)
721111 Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator 4 Yes Yes 55
841511 / (84231) Beef Cattle Farm Worker 4 Yes Yes 55
842299 Crop Farm Workers nec* 5 Yes Yes 50
841512 Dairy Cattle Farm Worker 5 Yes Yes 50
831114 Dairy Products Maker 5 Yes Yes 50
841211 Fruit or Nut Farm Worker 5 Yes Yes 50
841212 Fruit or Nut Picker 5 Yes Yes 50
841217 Mushroom Picker 5 Yes Yes 50
841214 Vegetable Farm Worker 5 Yes Yes 50
841215 Vegetable Picker 5 Yes Yes 50
311211 Anaesthetic Technician 2 No No 55
411711 Community Worker 2 Yes No 55
251111 Dietician 1 No No 55
411712 Disabilities Services Officer 2 Yes No 55
411713 Family Support Worker 2 Yes No 55
251511 Hospital Pharmacist 1 No No 55
252411 Occupational Therapist 1 No No 55
252511 Physiotherapist 1 No No 55
272511 Social Worker 1 No No 55
251214 Sonographer 1 No No 55
252712 Speech Pathologist 1 No No 55
272613 Welfare Worker 1 Yes No 55
411716 Youth Worker 2 Yes No 55
121111 Aquaculture Farmer 1 No No 55
842111 Aquaculture Worker 5 Yes Yes 50
399911 Diver 3 No Yes 55
839312 Product Grader 4 No Yes 55
831313 Seafood Process Worker 5 Yes Yes 50
899412 Autoglazier 4 Yes Yes 55
321111 Automotive Electrician 3 Yes Yes 55
321212 Diesel Motor Mechanic 3 Yes Yes 55
321211 Motor Mechanic (General) 3 Yes Yes 55
899411 Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General) 4 Yes Yes 55
321213 Motorcycle Mechanic 3 Yes Yes 55
324111 Panelbeater 3 Yes Yes 55
321214 Small Engine Mechanic 3 No Yes 55
899415 Tyre Fitter 4 Yes Yes 55
423111 Aged or Disabled Carer 4 Yes Yes 55
421111 Child Care Group Leader 2 Yes No 55
421111 Child Care Worker 3 Yes No 55
411715 Residential Care Officer 2 Yes Yes 55
232111 Architect 1 No No 55
312113 Building Inspector 2 No No 55
312211 Civil Engineering Draftsperson 2 No No 55
312212 Civil Engineering Technician 2 No No 55
821211 Concreter 5 Yes Yes 50
133111 Construction Project Manager 1 No No 55
712211 Driller 4 No Yes 55
721211 Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) 4 No Yes 55
721214 Excavator Operator 4 No Yes 55
333111 Glazier 3 No Yes 55
(362213) 362711 Landscape Gardener 3 No Yes 55
821511 Paving and Surface Labourer 5 Yes Yes 50
711913 Sand Blaster 4 Yes Yes 55
821713 Steel Fixer 4 Yes Yes 55
821714 Structural Steel Erector 4 Yes Yes 55
333411 Wall and Floor Tiler 3 No Yes 55
241111 Early Childhood Teacher (Pre-primary School) Teacher 1 No No 55
351111 Baker 3 Yes Yes 55
431112 Barista 4 Yes Yes 55
351311 Chef 2 No Yes 55
351411 Cook 3 Yes Yes 55
351112 Pastrycook 3 Yes Yes 55
272311 Clinical Psychologist 1 No No 55
253912 Emergency Medicine Specialist 1 No No 55
411411 Enrolled Nurse 2 Yes No 55
253111 General Practitioner 1 No No 55
251211 Medical Diagnostic Radiographer 1 No No 55
253999 Medical Practitioners nec* 1 No No 55
254111 Midwife 1 No No 55
254411 Nurse Practitioner 1 No No 55
423312 Nursing Support Worker 4 Yes Yes 55
254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care) 1 No No 55
254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) 1 No No 55
254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health) 1 No No 55
254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) 1 No No 55
254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) 1 No No 55
254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) 1 No No 55
254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) 1 No No 55
254418 Registered Nurse (Medical) 1 No No 55
254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health) 1 No No 55
254425 Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) 1 No No 55
254423 Registered Nurse (Perioperative) 1 No No 55
254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical) 1 No No 55
254499 Registered Nurses nec 1 No No 55
141999 Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec 2 Yes No 55
070499 Bar Attendant (Supervisor) 4 Yes No 55
141111 Cafe or Restaurant Manager 2 Yes No 55
811411 Commercial Housekeeper 5 Yes Yes 50
431999 Hospitality Workers nec 5 Yes Yes 50
149999 Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec 2 Yes No 55
141311 Hotel or Motel Manager 2 Yes No 55
431411 Hotel Service Manager 3 Yes No 55
431511 Waiter 4 Yes Yes 55
070499 Waiter (Supervisor) 4 Yes No 55
322311 Metal Fabricator 3 No Yes 55
312912 Metallurgical or Materials Technician 2 No No 55
322312 Pressure Welder 3 No Yes 55
322313 Welder (First Class) 3 No Yes 55
721212 Backhoe Operator 4 Yes Yes 55
399212 Gas or Petroleum Operator 3 No Yes 55
721216 Loader Operator 4 No Yes 55
721112 Logging Plant Operator 4 Yes Yes 55
233211 Civil Engineer 1 No No 55
233513 Production or Plant Engineer 1 No No 55
233215 Transport Engineer 1 No No 55
251311 Environmental Health Officer 1 No No 55
135112 ICT Project Manager 1 Yes No 55
312911 Maintenance Planner 2 No No 55
232611 Urban and Regional Planner 1 No No 55
621511 Retail Supervisor 4 Yes No 55
391111 Hairdresser 3 No Yes 55
899311 Handyperson 5 Yes Yes 50
711211 Industrial Spraypainter 4 Yes Yes 55
541211 Information Officer 4 Yes No 55
312611 Occupational Health and Safety Inspector 3 Yes No 55
452215 Outdoor Adventure Instructor 3 Yes Yes 55
542111 Receptionist (General) 4 Yes No 55
711516 Rubber Production Machine Operator 4 Yes Yes 55
399611 Signwriter 3 Yes Yes 55
839412 Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker 5 Yes Yes 50
721911 Aircraft Baggage Handler and Airline Ground Crew 4 Yes Yes 55
733111 Truck Driver (General) 4 Yes Yes 55
363117 Vineyard Supervisor 3 No Yes 55
841216 Vineyard Worker 5 Yes Yes 50
234213 Wine Maker 1 No No 55

This table lists occupations grouped by industry area, along with their ANZSCO codes, skill levels, concessions available, and age limits for SESR and ENS visas.

Concessions Available

Under the South-West DAMA, businesses may be eligible for the following concessions:

  1. Age Concession:

    • For SESR (subclass 494) or ENS (subclass 186) visas, applicants must be under 55 years old (skill level 1-4 occupations) or under 50 years old (skill level 5 occupations) at the time of nomination.
  2. English Language Requirement:

    • For certain occupations, a concession to the minimum English language requirements may apply.
    • TSS, SESR: IELTS score of 5.0 with no minimum component score (unless higher levels are required for registration or licensing).
    • ENS: Standard ENS English language requirements apply.
  3. TSMIT (Salary):

    • A reduction in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) may be available. Concession types include:
      • Type 1: Reduced TSMIT—at least 90% of the current TSMIT.
      • Type 2: Reduced TSMIT with non-monetary earnings (e.g., food, board) equal to no more than 10% of TSMIT.
    • From 1 July 2024, the TSMIT increased to $73,150. All new employer nominations must meet this threshold or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR), whichever is higher.
  4. Skills and Qualifications:

    • Relevant work experience, qualifications, and skills must align with the nominated occupation’s requirements. This applies to subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS), subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR), and, where eligible, subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visas.
  5. Permanent Residency Pathway (New as of August 2024):

    • All occupations under the South-West DAMA have a pathway to permanent residency through the ENS/186 visa after holding a South-West DAMA TSS/482 visa for two years.

New Application Process

To apply, complete and submit the new web form. With your business information, nomination details, and contact information ready, the form should take around 15 minutes to complete. After signing the form electronically, submit your supporting documents to progress your endorsement application. Further instructions are available on the form.

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Gurmeet Sharma Gurmeet Sharma is the Chief operating officer of Brain Drain Consultants Pvt. Ltd | He is leading the Immigration news portals for imminews.com.au and imminews.ca.