What is DAMA?
A DAMA enables eligible businesses, who are unable to recruit appropriately qualified Australians, to supplement their workforce with skilled migrants through three visa programs. There are currently a number of different DAMAs in place in different states and territories.
At Community Work Australia, we assess certain occupations under a number of different DAMAs.
Applicants planning to submit a DAMA application for skills assessment should first have employment or an offer of employment with an employer that has entered into a labour agreement with the Australian Government.
Find out more about DAMAs on the Department of Home Affairs website.
DAMA regions
Western Australia (DAMA WA)
Community Work Australia is the approved assessing authority for a number of different ANZSCO occupations available under DAMA WA.
For more information on DAMA WA, please visit the Government of Western Australia Department of Training and Workforce Development website.
If you are applying for a DAMA assessment from a different area, please contact the relevant assessing authority for that region.
For a list of existing DAMA agreements, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Below, you can find out more about each of the roles Community Work Australia is currently accepting, including the work experience needed, and the qualifications required to meet the skills assessment criteria.
Community Work Australia is currently accepting applications for assessment of the below occupations under DAMA WA:
- 423111 Aged or Disabled Carer
- 423411 Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant
- 423413 Refuge Worker
- 272613 Welfare Worker
- 411711 Community Worker
- 411712 Disabilities Services Officer
- 411713 Family Support Worker
- 411714 Parole or Probation Officer
- 411715 Residential Care Officer
- 411716 Youth Worker
Coming soon
From 1 September 2026, Community Work Australia will be accepting applications for the occupation Aged or Disabled Carer ANZSCO 423111 under the following Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs):
- Orana DAMA (NSW)
- Great South Coast DAMA (VIC)
- Goulburn Valley DAMA (VIC)
- Kimberley DAMA (WA)
- South-West DAMA (WA)
- Pilbara DAMA (WA)
- Far North QLD DAMA (QLD)
- Townsville DAMA (QLD)
Nominating a DAMA WA
If you are nominating a DAMA – WA occupation for skills assessment, you must meet the minimum skill level requirements for your occupation, as well as additional work experience requirements depending on which visa you are applying for. Additional work experience that can be assessed according to visa subclass:
- At least one (1) year (full-time or part-time equivalent) of relevant work experience for the Skills in Demand (formerly TSS) subclass 482 visa programs;
- At least two (2) years (full-time or part-time equivalent) of relevant work experience for the SESR subclass 494 and ENS subclass 186 visa programs where the nominated worker (the skills assessment applicant) will be living and working in Regional Western Australia;
- At least three (3) years (full-time or part-time equivalent) of relevant work experience for the SESR subclass 494 and ENS subclass 186 visa programs where the nominated worker (the skills assessment applicant) will be living and working in Metropolitan Perth.
Read the DAMA document checklist
You can read the skills assessment criteria by selecting your nominated occupation above.
Everything you need for your skills assessment
Navigate through each stage of your skills assessment journey with step-by-step guidance and resources to prepare and submit your skills assessment application. From the document checklist to eligibility requirements, you’ll find everything you need.