If your business holds a Labour Agreement under the South-West Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), or you are currently sponsoring staff through it, important changes are on the horizon.

The South-West DAMA will officially cease at the end of its five-year term in December 2026. It will be replaced by the broader State-based WA DAMA, administered by the Department of Training and Workforce Development (WA).

Key Deadline: 31 October 2026

All new Labour Agreement applications and variations to existing South-West DAMA Labour Agreements must be completed by 31 October 2026. This deadline allows sufficient time for processing before the South-West DAMA expires in December 2026.

What You Can Still Do Until 31 October 2026

South-West businesses can continue to:

• Apply for new endorsements for Labour Agreements under the South-West DAMA
• Apply to vary existing Labour Agreements (including variations for Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 visas)
• Lodge nominations and associated visa applications under approved agreements

What Happens After 31 October 2026?

• No new endorsements or variations will be possible under the South-West DAMA
• You can still use the nominated positions and concessions in your existing Labour Agreement until it naturally expires (usually five years from the execution date)
• Existing visa holders will not be disadvantaged, so their visas remain valid per their approved duration

Transition to the WA DAMA

At this stage, occupations, concessions, and terms approved under the South-West DAMA are expected to be retained under the new WA DAMA. No business or visa applicant should be worse off during the transition, but details are still being finalised and we’ll be sure to update via our blog here at West Aussie Migration once we know more.

Why You Should Act Now – Especially for ENS (Subclass 186) Visas

If you need any variations to your current Labour Agreement, particularly for transitioning staff to permanent residency via the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), it is strongly recommended to submit these before the 31 October 2026 deadline.

Waiting until after the cut-off could mean losing access to the more flexible concessions currently available under the South-West DAMA framework.

What Should Employers Do Next?

Seeking professional advice on whether DAMA can benefit you is best explored as soon as possible given the application process can take some time.

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a tailored labour agreement between the Australian Government and a specific region that allows employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers using concessions not available under the standard visa programs, meaning it is easier to access for a broader range of applicants and businesses.

These concessions often include lower English levels, reduced work experience requirements, age flexibility, and access to a broader list of occupations. For South-West WA employers, the DAMA has been a powerful tool to address local labour shortages by making it easier and faster to recruit and retain the workers needed to keep operations running.

Need Help Navigating the Transition?

At West Aussie Migration, we specialise in DAMA programs all across Australia, including the South-West DAMA and the new WA DAMA. We can:

• Review your existing Labour Agreement
• Advise on the best pathway for prospective and current staff including permanent residency (ENS 186)
• Prepare high-quality variation applications and nominations
• Ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to your workforce

Don’t leave it until the last minute as migration processing times can be unpredictable, especially during major program transitions.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation. We’ll assess your situation and provide clear, practical advice tailored to your business and employees so that you can get back to doing what you do best, run your business.

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