A major update has been announced for regional employers and skilled visa holders in Western Australia. The Goldfields – WA DAMA transition process is officially underway as the local regional agreement prepares to merge into the broader state-wide framework.
Beginning 1 July 2026, the standalone Goldfields Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) will officially close, and employers throughout the Goldfields region will transition over to access stream pathways under the Western Australian DAMA (WA DAMA). This streamlined shift ensures that regional businesses can continue attracting and retaining skilled overseas workers, but it comes with critical deadlines that require immediate attention.
To ensure a smooth migration pathway for your workforce, you must closely follow the official transition timeline for employers outlined by migration authorities:
Moving forward, managing new WA DAMA endorsement applications will shift to a centralized state assessment model. The core benefit of this transition is that Goldfields businesses will retain access to crucial visa concessions—such as age, English language, and income thresholds—while benefiting from the broader infrastructure of the WA State Migration Services.
If you are a business operating in Kalgoorlie-Boulder or the wider Goldfields network, your existing pathways are changing. Ensuring your paperwork seamlessly bridges the gap between these two agreements is critical to maintaining your business sponsorship status.
The shift from the regional Goldfields framework to the centralized state system means that existing templates, occupation lists, and processing streams are being updated.
Contact Us Today to review your current workforce needs, prepare your upcoming endorsement filings under the new state framework, and ensure your business navigates this major regulatory transition without missing a single deadline!
