Concessions Available
The Goldfields DAMA provides eligible businesses access to occupations which are not available through the standard stream of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482), the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) (subclass 494) visas.

Additional Occupations not in ANZSCO
The Goldfields DAMA provides access to four occupations not included in the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation (ANZSCO).
These are:
- Asphalt Technician
- Process Technician
- Rope Access Technician
- Sound and Light Technician
For the purposes of the Goldfields DAMA, these occupations have been given the code 070499.
For these occupations, applicants need to demonstrate that their skills, qualifications and experience align to the following sample position descriptions:
English Language Concession
Currently, 44 occupations listed under the Goldfields DAMA include English language concessions that may be available to overseas workers applying for a temporary TSS visa, SESR visa and/or those transitioning to Australian permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) labour agreement pathway (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English).
IELTS means the International English Language Testing System or the equivalent in another accepted English language test.
Other accepted English language tests are:
- Occupational English Test (OET);
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT);
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic test; or
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test.
IELTS Band |
Standard |
TSS/SESR Concessions |
ENS Concessions |
Overall |
Medium term stream - 5.0 Short term stream - 5.0 |
5.0 |
5.0 |
Speaking |
Medium term stream - 5.0 Short term stream - 4.5 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
Listening |
Medium term stream - 5.0 Short term stream - 4.5 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
Reading |
Medium term stream - 5.0 Short term stream - 4.5 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
Writing |
Medium term stream - 5.0 Short term stream - 4.5 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
Some applicants may be exempt to undertake an English test. For further information go to the Department of Home Affairs website.
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold Concession
All workers employed under the Goldfields DAMA must be employed under Australian employment conditions and receive no less than what an Australian would to undertake the same job in the same location.
Many employer-sponsored visa programs, including the standard TSS, SESR and ENS programs, have a minimum salary threshold that can be paid. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is now $70,000.
The Goldfields DAMA includes ten TSMIT concessions which may be available for employers across ten occupations. The occupations table indicates which occupations have access to a TSMIT concession:
4234111 |
Aged or Disabled Carer |
4 |
721111 |
Agriculture and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator |
4 |
121312 |
Beef Cattle Farmer |
1 |
421111 |
Child Care Worker |
3 |
421112 |
Family Day Care Educator |
4 |
831211 |
Meat Boner and Slicer |
4 |
423312 |
Nursing Support Worker |
4 |
423313 |
Personal Care Assistant |
4 |
361211 |
Shearer |
3 |
831212 |
Slaughterer |
4 |
ANZSCO Code |
Occupation |
ANZSCO Skill Level |
TSMIT Concessions Available for Employers
Employers may be eligible for some concessions on the Temporary Skilled Migration Income threshold.
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is now $70,000.
Concession type 1 - up to a 10% concession to the TSMIT
Businesses must demonstrate the annual monetary earnings provided will be no less than 90% of the TSMIT, i.e. no less than $63,000
Concession type 2 - up to a 10% concession to the TSMIT, and the inclusion of non-monetary earnings (other)
Businesses must demonstrate that the annual earnings provided will be no less than 90% of the TSMIT, i.e. no less than $63,000.
These annual earnings can be comprised of 'non-monetary earnings (other)' to the value of up to $6,300 annually (i.e. capped at 10% of the reduced TSMIT). Non-monetary earnings (other) refer to benefits such as phone, vehicle, food and board.
Important:
Employers that seek concessions based on non-monetary benefits provided to overseas workers must ensure the:
I
Benefits support the living costs of the overseas worker, and
II
Overseas worker would have incurred that cost had it not been provided by the approved sponsor, and
III
Benefits are quantifiable, and
IV
Benefits are consistent with terms and conditions provided to existing Australians employed in a similar position, and
V
Benefits are guaranteed in the employment contract, and
VI
Benefits exclude contingent payments such as overtime (other than guaranteed overtime), bonuses and commissions.
Labour Market Testing
Employers seeking overseas workers under a DAMA must provide evidence of LMT:
- when applying for Designated Area Representative (DAR) endorsement,
- requesting a DAMA labour agreement, and
- at the Nomination stage.
From 1 September 2021, this evidence must demonstrate at least 2 genuine attempts (advertising) to recruit qualified and experienced Australians. The same LMT evidence can be used at each of the above stages, however the advertising must have occurred within the last 12 months before lodging the nomination application.
The Department will now also accept more flexible evidence of LMT from businesses in Category 3 regions.
Acceptable evidence will include one advertisement with national reach, for example: Seek, Jobactive or an Australian industry website. The other advertisement may be local, for example: a business’ website or local media online, print or radio. For businesses in Category 3 regions, Jobactive advertising is still encouraged as an option but is not a prescribed requirement.
More information on Labour Market Testing can be found here.
Qualifications and Experience
The following skills, qualifications, experience and employment background requirements apply to the occupations listed in the tables below in relation to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) and/or Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visas, where applicable. The requirements for Driller's Assistants relate to TSS visas only.
Specified Medical Occupations on the Combined Eligible List of Skilled Occupations
For the occupations in Table 1 below, which are on the eligible lists of skilled occupations (the Short-term Skilled Occupation List, Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or Regional Occupation List), any nomination for these occupations or any application for a TSS, SESR or ENS visa connected with these occupations must satisfy the skills, qualifications, experience and employment background required under the standard TSS and ENS visa programs.
Table 1: Specified medical occupations on the combined eligible list of skilled occupations |
ANZSCO Code |
Occupation |
ANZSCO Skill Level |
272311 |
Clinical Psychologist |
1 |
252312 |
Dentist |
1 |
253912 |
Emergency Medicine Specialist |
1 |
253111 |
General Medical Practitioner |
1 |
134211 |
Medical Administrator |
1 |
253999 |
Medical Practitioners (nec) |
1 |
251312 |
Occupational Health and Safety Adviser |
1 |
252411 |
Occupational Therapist |
1 |
251411 |
Optometrist |
1 |
251912 |
Orthotists or Prosthetist |
1 |
252511 |
Physiotherapist |
1 |
272399 |
Psychologists nec |
1 |
272499 |
Social Professionals (e.g. Linguist) |
1 |
253399 |
Specialist Physicians (nec) |
1 |
252712 |
Speech Pathologist |
1 |
253511 |
Surgeon (General) |
1 |
Other Occupations on the Combined Eligible List of Skilled Occupations
For the occupations in Table 2 below, which are on the eligible lists of skilled occupations (the Short-term Skilled Occupation List, Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or Regional Occupation List), any nomination for these occupations or any application for a TSS, SESR or ENS visa connected with these occupations must satisfy the skills, qualification and employment background required under the standard TSS, SESR and ENS visa programs.
A concession to the work experience requirement is provided whereby visa applicants must have:
- at least one (1) year of full-time work experience (38 hours plus per week) if applying for a TSS or SESR visa.
Work experience can include:
- work undertaken as part-time (equivalent to one year full-time).
- work experience counted towards being skilled (ANZSCO) also counts towards the work experience requirement.
- must be in the nominated occupation, or a related occupation at the same skill level.
Table 2: Other occupations on the combined eligible list of skilled occupations |
ANZSCO Code |
Occupation |
ANZSCO Skill Level |
221111 |
Accountant (General) |
1 |
234112 |
Agricultural Scientist |
1 |
321111 |
Automotive Electrician |
3 |
121312 |
Beef Cattle Farmer |
1 |
331212 |
Carpenter |
3 |
331211 |
Carpenter and Joiner |
3 |
351311 |
Chef |
2 |
233111 |
Chemical Engineer |
1 |
399211 |
Chemical Plant Operator |
3 |
234211 |
Chemist (Industrial) |
1 |
311411 |
Chemistry Technician |
2 |
111111 |
Chief Executive or Managing Director |
1 |
134111 |
Child Care Centre Manager |
1 |
421111 |
Child Care Worker |
3 |
233211 |
Civil Engineer |
1 |
312211 |
Civil Engineering Draftsperson |
2 |
312212 |
Civil Engineering Technician |
2 |
411711 |
Community Worker |
2 |
149212 |
Customer Service Manager |
2 |
321212 |
Diesel Motor Mechanic |
3 |
411712 |
Disabilites Services Officer |
2 |
241111 |
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher |
1 |
311412 |
Earth Science Technician |
2 |
233311 |
Electrical Engineer |
1 |
312312 |
Electrical Engineers Technician |
2 |
341111 |
Electrician (General) |
3 |
341112 |
Electrician (Special Class) |
3 |
342315 |
Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) [Precision Farming Specialist] |
3 |
441211 |
Emergency Service Worker |
3 |
133211 |
Engineers Manager |
1 |
233914 |
Engineers Technologist |
1 |
234312 |
Environmental Consultant |
1 |
251311 |
Environmental Health Officer |
1 |
411713 |
Family Support Worker |
2 |
222311 |
Financial Investment Advisor (Financial Planner) |
1 |
149112 |
Fitness Centre Manager |
2 |
323211 |
Fitter (General) |
3 |
323212 |
Fitter and Turner |
3 |
323213 |
Fitter-Welder |
3 |
234411 |
Geologist |
1 |
234412 |
Geophysicist |
1 |
233212 |
Geotechnical Engineer |
1 |
362311 |
Greenkeeper |
3 |
391111 |
Hairdresser |
3 |
313112 |
ICT Customer Support Officer |
2 |
313199 |
ICT Support Technician nec |
2 |
139913 |
Laboratory Manager |
1 |
323313 |
Locksmith |
3 |
221112 |
Management Accountant |
1 |
133411 |
Manufacturer |
1 |
233512 |
Mechanical Engineers Technician |
2 |
322311 |
Metal Fabricator |
3 |
323214 |
Metal Machinist (First Class) |
3 |
312512 |
Metallurgical or Materials Technician |
2 |
312912 |
Mining Engineer (exclusing Petroleum) |
1 |
121411 |
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer |
1 |
512111 |
Office Manager (General) |
2 |
241213 |
Primary School Teacher |
1 |
133512 |
Production Manager (Manufacturing) |
1 |
233513 |
Production or Plant Engineer |
1 |
511112 |
Program or Project Administrator |
2 |
131114 |
Public Relations Manager |
|
313211 |
Radio Communications Technician |
2 |
223112 |
Recruitment Consultant |
1 |
251513 |
Retail Pharmacist |
1 |
312611 |
Safety Inspector |
2 |
131112 |
Sales and Marketing Manager |
1 |
311499 |
Science Technician |
2 |
241411 |
Secondary School Teacher |
1 |
272511 |
Social Worker |
1 |
251214 |
Sonographer |
1 |
399516 |
Sound Technician |
3 |
452321 |
Sports Development Officer |
3 |
233214 |
Structural Engineer |
1 |
133611 |
Supply and Distribution Manager |
1 |
2322212 |
Surveyor (Mine Surveyor) |
1 |
263311 |
Telecommunications Engineer |
1 |
313212 |
Telecommunications Field Engineer |
2 |
263312 |
Telecommunications Network Engineer |
1 |
313213 |
Telecommunications Network Planner |
2 |
313214 |
Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist |
2 |
232611 |
Urban and Regional Planner [Town Planner] |
1 |
324211 |
Vehicle Body Builder |
3 |
322313 |
Welder (First Class) |
3 |
272613 |
Welfare Worker |
1 |
411716 |
Youth Worker |
2 |
Other Occupations Not on Eligible Skills Lists
For occupations which are not on the combined eligible list of skilled occupations, the skills, qualifications, experience and employment background criteria will be included in the Labour Agreements associated with this Agreement.
Qualifications are to be assessed by the relevant Skills Assessing Authority (as specified in the Labour Agreement) as being at least equivalent to the relevant Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification detailed for the relevant tables below, in order to assist the Minister's decision as to whether the visa applicant has the necessary qualifications for the position.
The Minister may require a person to demonstrate that he or she has the skills that are necessary to perform the tasks of the nominated occupation by undertaking a skills assessment conducted by the relevant Skills Assessing Authority (as specified in the Labour Agreement). Any skills assessment must be certified as being in accordance with the arrangements agreed to with the Commonwealth. A skills assessment is required for applications lodged for the occupations listed in Tables 3 to 7.
Experience must be certified by the Goldfields DAR as being genuine and relevant to the nominated occupation/position, in order to assist the Minister's decision as to whether the visa applicant has the necessary employment background for the position.
ANZSCO Skill Level 1 - 3 Occupations (not on eligible skills lists)
The occupations outlined in Table 3 must meet the following requirements:
- If required to do so by the Minister, a visa applicant must undergo a skills assessment by the relevant Skills Assessing Authority (as specified in the Labour Agreement), and
- Meet the skill level requirements as defined in ANZSCO, and
- Have at least one year of full-time post qualification work experience (38 hours plus per week) if applying for the TSS or SESR visa
Work experience can include:
- work undertaken as part-time (equivalent to one year full-time)
- work experience counted towards being skilled (ANZSCO) also counts towards the work experience requirement.
- must be in the nominated occupation, or a related occupation at the same skill level.
Table 3: ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 Occupations not on the eligible skilled occupation list
|
ANZSCO Code
|
Occupation
|
ANZSCO Skill Level
|
070499
|
Asphalt Technician
|
3
|
399513
|
Light Technician
|
3
|
521111
|
Personal Assistant
|
3
|
361211
|
Shearer
|
3
|
070499
|
Sound and Light Technician
|
3
|
Specified ANZSCO Skill Level 2 Occupations (not on eligible skills lists)The following skills requirements are to be met for the following skill level 2 specified occupation, not included in the eligible list of skilled occupations, as outlined in
Table 4. The TSS or SESR visa applicant must:
- undergo skills assessment conducted by the relevant Skills Assessing Authority (as specified in the Labour Agreement)
AND MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS OF REQUIREMENTS
- meet the qualification level as defined in ANZSCO in business administration or in a field highly relevant to the retail setting being managed, and
- have at least one year post qualification experience (20 hours plus per week) completed within the last five years.
OR
- meet the qualification level as defined in ANZSCO in any field of study other than mentioned above, and
- have at least one year post qualification experience (38 hours plus per week) completed within the last five years.
OR
- meet the qualification level as defined in ANZSCO in any field of study, and
- have at least four years’ work experience (20 hours plus per week) if undertaken prior to completion of the qualification.
ANZSCO Indicative Skill Level: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma.
Table 4: Specified ANZSCO Skill Level 2 Occupations
|
ANZSCO Code
|
Occupation
|
ANZSCO Skill Level
|
|
None specified in current Goldfields DAMA |
|
Specified ANZSCO Skill Level 3 Occupations (not on eligible skills lists)
For occupations listed in
Table 5 the following skill and experience requirements apply. The TSS or SESR visa applicant must:
- undergo a skills assessment conducted by the relevant Skills Assessing Authority (as specified in the Labour Agreement)
AND
- have at least a relevant AQF Certificate III or equivalent or higher level qualification, and
- have at least one year (20 hours plus per week) relevant post qualification experience.
ANZSCO Indicative Skill Level: AQF Certificate III
Table 5: Specified ANZSCO Skill Level 3 Occupations
|
ANZSCO Code
|
Occupation
|
ANZSCO Skill Level
|
421111 |
Child Care Worker |
3 |
Specified occupation and other ANZSCO Skill Level 4 Occupations (not on eligible skills lists)For occupations listed not in ANZSCO and other skill level 4 occupations requested under this Agreement as listed in
Table 6 the following skill and experience requirements apply. The TSS or SESR visa applicant must:
- undergo a skills assessment conducted by the relevant Skills Assessing Authority (as specified in the Labour Agreement)
AND MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS OF REQUIREMENTS
- have at least a relevant AQF Certificate II or equivalent or higher level qualification, and
- have at least one and a half years (20 hours plus per week) relevant post qualification experience.
OR
- have at least a relevant Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III or equivalent or higher level qualification, and
- have at least one year (20 hours plus per week) relevant post qualification experience).
OR
- have at least one year (38 hours plus per week) relevant experience.
ANZSCO Indicative Skill Level: AQF Certificate II or III
Table 6: Specified other ANZSCO Skill Level 4 Occupations
|
ANZSCO Code
|
Occupation
|
ANZSCO Skill Level
|
423111
|
Aged or Disabled Carer
|
4
|
721111
|
Agriculture and Horticulture Mobile Plant Operator
|
4
|
712914
|
Concrete Batching Plant Operators
|
4
|
423211
|
Dental Assistant
|
4
|
712211
|
Driller
|
4
|
421112
|
Family Day Care Educator
|
4
|
711211
|
Industrial Spray Painter
|
4
|
831211
|
Meat Boner and Slicer
|
4
|
721999
|
Mobile Plant Operator (nec)
|
4
|
423312
|
Nursing Support Worker
|
4
|
423313
|
Personal Care Assistant
|
4
|
070499
|
Process Technician
|
4
|
721915
|
Road Roller Operator
|
4
|
070499
|
Rope Access Technician
|
4
|
711516
|
Rubber Production Machine Operator (Belt Splicer)
|
4
|
831212
|
Slaughterer
|
4
|
ANZSCO Skill Level 5 Occupations (not on eligible skills lists)
For skill level 5 occupations requested under this Agreement as listed in
Table 7 below, the following skill and experience requirements apply. The TSS visa applicant must:
- undergo skills assessment conducted by the relevant Skills Assessing Authority (as specified in the Labour Agreement)
AND MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS OF REQUIREMENTS
- have at least a relevant AQF Certificate I or equivalent or higher level qualification, and
- have at least six months (20 hours plus per week) relevant post qualification experience.
OR
- have at least one year (38 hours plus per week) relevant experience.
ANZSCO Indicative Skill Level: Certificate I or compulsory secondary education
Table 7: Specified ANZSCO Skill Level 3 Occupations
|
ANZSCO Code
|
Occupation
|
ANZSCO Skill Level
|
821912
|
Driller's Assistant
|
5
|
Permanent Residence Pathways
A permanent residence pathway for Overseas Workers may be available through the Employer Sponsored Scheme 186 visa program for all Skill level 1- 4 occupations, after three years of working in the Designated Area (Goldfields DAMA Region) and holding a 457 or TSS 482 visa.
A permanent residence pathway for Overseas Workers may be available outside the DAMA through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) 191 visa for all Skill level 1- 4 occupations after three years holding a DAMA SESR 494 visa.
Full details of the Permanent Residence Pathway conditions will be outlined in the nominating business's individual Goldfields DAMA Labour Agreement.
DAMA Concessions Brochure