Western Australian authorities have set 19 June 2026 as the critical cut-off for Goldfields businesses to lodge labour-agreement paperwork under the region’s Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). The Goldfields DAMA will be absorbed into the broader WA DAMA on 1 July 2026, and the Department of Home Affairs must execute all outstanding agreements by 30 June for them to remain valid. A factsheet issued by Migration WA warns that endorsements can no longer be issued by the City of Kalgoorlie–Boulder after 5 June 2026, leaving employers only two weeks to obtain Home Affairs sign-off. Companies that miss the 19 June submission target will have to apply under the state-wide framework, which carries different occupation lists and concession settings. The Goldfields DAMA has sponsored more than 500 skilled migrants since 2019 across mining, engineering and hospitality roles. Local chamber of commerce CEO Simone de Been says any lapse could exacerbate acute labour shortages: “We’re urging members to finalise paperwork now so existing roles and salary concessions roll over seamlessly.”
![Goldfields employers face 19 June deadline to lodge DAMA agreements before scheme shifts to WA-wide model]()
For employers and mobility managers navigating these shifting requirements, VisaHQ can streamline the process of securing Australian work visas and collating the supporting documentation needed under both the Goldfields and WA DAMAs. Its platform (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers step-by-step guidance, real-time application tracking and access to visa specialists who can flag outstanding medicals or police clearances before lodgement.
From 1 July the WA DAMA will guarantee at least 500 places per year for Goldfields employers, but some occupations—such as underground truck operators and assay laboratory technicians—are not yet on the state list. The Department is negotiating with Home Affairs to add them by September; in the interim, employers can lodge expressions of interest but cannot receive endorsements. Global mobility managers moving staff to remote WA sites should review contract timelines. Home Affairs has indicated it will prioritise agreement execution for applications lodged by 19 June but will not guarantee outcomes where medicals or police checks are outstanding.
For employers and mobility managers navigating these shifting requirements, VisaHQ can streamline the process of securing Australian work visas and collating the supporting documentation needed under both the Goldfields and WA DAMAs. Its platform (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers step-by-step guidance, real-time application tracking and access to visa specialists who can flag outstanding medicals or police clearances before lodgement.
From 1 July the WA DAMA will guarantee at least 500 places per year for Goldfields employers, but some occupations—such as underground truck operators and assay laboratory technicians—are not yet on the state list. The Department is negotiating with Home Affairs to add them by September; in the interim, employers can lodge expressions of interest but cannot receive endorsements. Global mobility managers moving staff to remote WA sites should review contract timelines. Home Affairs has indicated it will prioritise agreement execution for applications lodged by 19 June but will not guarantee outcomes where medicals or police checks are outstanding.
