Designated Area Migration Agreement
South Australia (Regional) DAMA
South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement covers the whole state for agribusiness, tourism, health, construction and renewable energy roles.
Endorsing Authority
Skilled and Business Migration, South Australian Department of State Development
English Concession
IELTS 5.0 overall with 4.0 in each band for 482 and 494; 4.5 overall for specified semi-skilled occupations in outer regional SA
Age Concession
Under 55 at nomination for the 494 and 186 visas on listed occupations
Salary Concession
10% reduction to TSMIT retained
Key industries in the South Australia (Regional)
Industries Covered
Agribusiness, tourism and hospitality, health and social services, construction, renewable energy, manufacturing, mining
Occupation Note
Statewide agreement; the combined South Australian DAMA list exceeds 320 occupations, with the location column showing which apply to regional South Australia. The state announced in 2025 an extension to 30 June 2026 pending a new five year statewide DAMA; confirm the current status before relying on it.
The endorsement process
Endorsement is sought from Skilled and Business Migration with labour market testing evidence attached, and the same evidence is needed again at nomination. Because the agreement year runs from the signing date, a variation request for a later year should be lodged close to that anniversary, and only one variation a year is accepted from 2026.
How the South Australia (Regional) DAMA works
The South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement is the statewide DAMA administered by Skilled and Business Migration in the Department of State Development, which endorses employers, acts as skills assessing authority for certain occupations and monitors activity with the Department of Home Affairs. The DAMA occupation list states where each occupation is available within South Australia, the requirements a nominee must meet and the concessions available.
In 2025 the state announced that both South Australian agreements were extended to 30 June 2026, with a new five year statewide DAMA to be negotiated in 2025 to 2026. The retained concessions are an age limit of up to 55, a 10% reduction to the TSMIT, and English and work experience concessions. The English concession for the subclass 482 and 494 visas is IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 4.0 in each band, or 4.5 overall with 4.0 in each band for specified semi-skilled occupations in outer regional South Australia; the subclass 186 concession is 5.0 overall with 4.5 in each band.
The permanent residence pathway has been shortened: a subclass 482 holder may be nominated for the subclass 186 visa after two years where the endorsement was granted on or after 27 June 2025 (three years for earlier endorsements). The employer FAQ requires labour market testing evidence at endorsement and at nomination, explains that the agreement year runs from the signing date so variation requests should be lodged close to the anniversary, and notes that from 2026 the Department of Home Affairs supports one variation per year and none in the first six months. From 1 July 2025, occupations also available under an Industry Labour Agreement, such as certain aged care roles, cannot be accessed under the South Australian DAMA.
Visa Plan Lawyers and the South Australia (Regional) DAMA
Visa Plan Lawyers prepares the Regional Workforce Agreement endorsement for Skilled and Business Migration, times variation requests to the agreement year, and lodges the subclass 482, 494 and 186 nominations that follow.
Reviewed by Visa Plan Lawyers · Last updated: April 2026 · DAMA information sourced from the Department of Home Affairs. DAMA terms, occupation lists, and concessions are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Visa Plan for advice specific to your circumstances.