Are you struggling to find skilled workers in regional Western Australia? Many businesses in Esperance face critical staff shortages in hospitality, mining, health and other industries.
The Esperance DAMA visa is designed to ease those pain points by making it simpler for local employers to sponsor overseas workers for hard-to-fill roles.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the Esperance DAMA; from skilled migration basics to the occupation list and recent policy changes.
Overview of the Esperance DAMA Visa
Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal arrangement between the Australian Government and a regional authority that give employers in that area access to a broader pool of overseas talent than the standard visa programs.
Under a DAMA, regions like Esperance work with the government to set up a 5-year labour agreement tailored to local needs.
The Esperance DAMA is officially part of the broader Goldfields DAMA region, which includes the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Shires of Esperance, Coolgardie, Dundas, Leonora, Menzies, and Ravensthorpe. These areas work collectively under this agreement to address regional skill shortages.
The Goldfields-Esperance DAMA was initially signed in 2019 as a five-year agreement. Due to its ongoing importance, it has been extended until April 2026, ensuring continued support for employers and regional development.
The key goal of the Esperance DAMA is to attract skilled migrants to work and live in the Goldfields DAMA Region, allowing Goldfields’ employers tosponsor skilled overseas workers in specified industries that are currently experiencing critical skill and labour shortages.
In other words, it’s a dedicated Designated Area Migration Agreement that targets the unique needs of Esperance and the surrounding shires.
Who Manages It?
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder acts as the Designated Area Representative (DAR) for this agreement. The DAR’s role is to coordinate between businesses in the region and the Department of Home Affairs, processing endorsement applications and guiding employers through the DAMA process. Under this head agreement, employers in Esperance can apply to sponsor workers in occupations on the agreed list.
Key points about the Esperance DAMA:
- It covers Esperance and nearby local areas (the Goldfields DAMA Region).
- It’s a 5-year agreement (originally 2019–2024, now extended to 2026).
- It specifies around 145 eligible occupations (updated regularly).
- It includes visa concessions like lower salary thresholds or age limits for PR in many roles.
Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Worker Visa in Esperance
To be eligible under the Esperance DAMA, both the employer and the prospective worker must meet certain criteria:
Employer Eligibility:
- Designated Area: The sponsoring business must operate within the Goldfields-Esperance DAMA region (e.g. in Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Leonora, Laverton, etc.).
- Approved Employer: The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will only endorse requests from eligible local businesses that demonstrate a genuine need for the position.
- DAMA Endorsement: Employers must apply for and obtain endorsement from the DAR before lodging a labour agreement request.
- Genuine Job and Labour Shortage: Employers must show they advertised the job locally (Labour Market Testing) and could not find an Australian or PR holder. Only then can they apply for the DAR’s endorsement to sponsor an overseas worker.
Worker Eligibility:
- Occupation on the DAMA List: The job must be one of the specified occupations under the agreement. The occupation list is detailed and updated regularly. If an occupation isn’t available on the Goldfields-Esperance list, it might be available via the new statewide WA DAMA instead.
- Qualifications and Experience: The nominee must meet the usual requirements for the chosen visa subclass (skills, qualifications, registration if needed). Each occupation may have specific requirements (e.g. trade qualifications, years of experience).
- English Language Requirements: Standard visa subclass English requirements apply unless the DAMA agreement provides concessions. Some DAMA regions allow lower English scores, such as an IELTS 5.0 overall (with no band lower than 4.5).
- Visa Conditions: The migrant applicant must pass health and character checks, and any other standard requirements for the visa subclass.
Because the application process is complex, prospective DAMA applicants should ensure they have all evidence ready before applying (e.g. education, work references, English test results). Agents often advise preparing early, since nomination can only proceed after DAR endorsement and labour agreement approval. Keeping track of deadlines (endorsement valid 12 months, nomination within that year) is key.
Read our DAMA visa guide for applicants and explore how to apply for Dama visa is 3 easy steps.
Esperance DAMA Visa Occupation List
This occupation list highlights how Esperance’s DAMA targets both professional and trade skills that are in high demand across the region. Below is a sample of occupations eligible under the Goldfields-Esperance DAMA. The list below includes some of the newly added occupations from April 2024.
Note: This is not the full list. Always refer to the official Goldfields-Esperance DAMA list for the complete occupations and ANZSCO codes.
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
| 070499 | Bar Attendant (Supervisor) |
| 431112 | Barista |
| 351411 | Cook |
| 411411 | Enrolled Nurse |
| 141111 | Hotel or Motel Manager |
| 121213 | Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer |
| 321212 | Motor Mechanic (General) |
| 254418 | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) |
| 254412 | Registered Nurse (Medical) |
| 142111 | Retail Manager (General) |
| 621511 | Retail Supervisor |
| 733111 | Truck Driver (General) |
| 431511 | Waiter |
| 070499 | Waiter (Supervisor) |
Each occupation above corresponds to specific skill requirements. Many of the roles listed, such as hospitality and healthcare jobs, also have built-in concessions. For example, some may allow workers up to age 55 or waive certain language tests.
Key Benefits of Esperance DAMA Visa Program
The Esperance DAMA migration program offers huge benefits for both regional employers and migrant workers. Here are some of the top advantages:
- Broader Occupation List
Unlike standard visas, the Esperance DAMA list includes many semi-skilled and hospitality roles. In April 2024 alone, 20 new occupations were added to the Goldfields-Esperance DAMA, covering in-demand jobs like bar attendant (supervisor), barista, cook, hotel/motel manager, retail supervisor, and truck driver (general). (See the table below for a sample of occupations.)
This flexibility of dama visa occupation list means your skills are more likely to be eligible if you want to work in Esperance.
- Faster Local Hiring
The DAMA visa work visa streamlines recruitment for skill-short jobs. Instead of navigating the national occupation lists (MLTSSL/ROL), local businesses use the pre-approved DAMA list.
They also benefit from Labour Market Testing guidelines and DAR support, making sponsorship applications smoother. The result is that employers in Esperance can fill vacancies more quickly, keeping businesses running and communities thriving.
- Regional Living Opportunities
For migrants, working under an Esperance DAMA visa means living in a regional area with close-knit communities. Many workers welcome this change of lifestyle, often enjoying lower living costs and a more relaxed environment. And since Esperance is part of Western Australia’s DAMA network, workers might also qualify for state-specific incentives or programs.
- Pathway to Residency
All DAMA-sponsored workers in approved roles can eventually apply for permanent residency.
The scheme is designed so that highly skilled migrants can move from a temporary DAMA visa (like subclass 494 or 482/SID) to ENS 186 PR down the track. This is a major selling point that unlike many temporary worker visas, DAMA sponsorship leads to a PR pathway for the migrant (if visa conditions are met.
Learn more about our Subclass 494 visa help and Subclass 482 visa requirements for regional skilled migration.
- Esperance DAMA Visa Concessions
The Esperance DAMA offers key visa concessions under subclasses 482 and 494, making it easier for regional employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers:
- English Language Concessions: The Goldfields-Esperance DAMA relaxes English requirements for some occupations. Subclass 482 (TSS) and 494 (SESR) visa applicants only need an overall IELTS of 5.0 (no band minimum). This reduces the usual language score needed for the nominated roles.
- TSMIT Concessions: Normally the TSMIT is $73,150. DAMA allows certain occupations to use a “Reduced TSMIT” (90% of $73,150) or count guaranteed overtime/benefits towards the salary condition. These concessions help regional employers meet visa salary rules while offering competitive pay below the standard threshold.
- Age Limits for Permanent Visas: The DAMA raises the age cap for Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) and SESR (subclass 494) pathways. Eligible workers can be up to 55 years old for ANZSCO skill levels 1–4 and 50 years for level 5, above the usual 45-year cut-off. This eases the path to permanent residency for older skilled migrants.
- Skills and Experience: DAMA lowers the experience needed. A subclass 482 nominee needs only 1 year of relevant full-time work (instead of 2) and a subclass 494 (or 186) nominee needs 2 years. Skills assessments by the relevant authority are still required to verify qualifications meet Australian standards.
Recent Policy Updates for Esperance DAMA Visa
Staying updated on policy changes is crucial for DAMA applicants. Key recent developments include:
- Goldfields DAMA Extended to 2026
Great news for regional employers and skilled migrants. The Goldfields-Esperance Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), which encompasses Esperance, has been officially extended until April 2026.
This extension ensures continued access to the DAMA framework, allowing businesses to address local labour shortages by sponsoring overseas workers in designated occupations.
- New Visa Stream (SID)
On 7 December 2024, the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) was replaced by the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa. The Esperance DAMA now supports the SID stream for 4-year visas. Applicants should be aware of this change when applying.
- State-Wide WA DAMA
In July 2024, Western Australia launched a new whole-state DAMA. While this does not replace the Goldfields-Esperance DAMA, it provides another avenue for occupations not covered regionally.
Employers in Esperance should check both the Goldfields list and the WA-wide DAMA occupations if they need roles outside their local agreement.
- Occupation List Updates
The Goldfields-Esperance DAMA list is reviewed annually.
In the latest review, hospitality and tourism roles were highlighted for inclusion. The Shire of Esperance reported that new occupations in those sectors were awaiting sign-off. Indeed, the April 2024 additions included many hospitality positions (see table above). This responsiveness to local labour market needs is a continuing feature of the DAMA.
- Local Expansions
The Shire of Laverton has expressed interest in formally joining the Goldfields-Esperance DAMA, which would expand the coverage. Laverton’s involvement is a sign of growing regional collaboration in WA’s DAMAs.
- Application Volume
Since its launch in 2019, the Esperance DAMA has facilitated a growing number of visas. For example, in one 13‑month period, 39 primary visas and 39 dependents were approved under the Goldfields-Esperance agreement. This reflects active use by businesses.
By following official sources and working with an expert visa applicants can leverage these policy updates to their advantage. For example, knowing the DAMA extensions and new visa types in advance can smooth the application process.
Are you still wondering how to secure the right skilled worker, or unsure if you qualify under the Esperance DAMA?
Modern Migration Australia Is Here to Help!
We understand the regional employment challenges and the complexities of DAMA visas. Our expert migration agents can walk you through the process, answer your questions, and work out the best migration path for you.
If you’re thinking of applying for an Esperance DAMA visa or need advice on regional sponsorship, contact Modern Migration Australia today.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to fill your skills gap or advance your career through the Esperance DAMA program.