Designated area migration agreements
557. Hon Dr Steve Thomasto theLeader of the House representing the Minister for Skills and TAFE:
I refer to the Western Australia Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) and the four existing regional Western Australian DAMAs of Goldfields, Pilbara, Kimberley and South West that are tailored to meet the unique employment demands of their respective regions.
(1) Will the minister unequivocally commit to the retention of all WA regional DAMAs?
(2) As at 19 August 2025, is a review of the WA DAMA anticipated, planned or underway for category 2 cities and major regional centres; and category 3 regional centres and other regional centres?
(3) If yes to (2), what is the nature, premise and framework of the review; who or whom has initiated the review; and what are the review's reference points?
(4) How many skilled workers have been brought to WA since 30 June 2024 under:
(a) the Goldfields DAMA;
(b) the Pilbara DAMA;
(c) the Kimberley DAMA;
(d) the South West DAMA; and
(e) the WA DAMA?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. It is a long question but it is not a long answer, I assure the member.
(1)–(4) The federal government is responsible for the establishment and continuation of DAMAs. Regional DAMAs are negotiated directly between the federal government and designated area representatives. As at 30 June 2025, 192 employers were endorsed to establish labour agreements with the federal government for 1,326 positions under the WA DAMA. There is no planned review of the WA DAMA.
