A DAMA visa in Adelaide is not a separate visa. It is a South Australian employer agreement that lets endorsed businesses sponsor overseas workers on a 482 or 494 visa, with easier rules on age, English, salary and work experience, and a path to permanent residency.
In This Guide
What is the DAMA in Adelaide?
DAMA stands for Designated Area Migration Agreement. It is a deal between the Australian Government and a state government.
In South Australia, the deal is run by Skilled and Business Migration, part of the Department of State Development. This office is called the Designated Area Representative, or DAR.
The idea is simple. When an Adelaide business cannot find local workers, it can ask to hire from overseas. In return, the rules for the worker are softer than on the normal employer-sponsored route.
You cannot apply for a DAMA on your own. The employer goes first, and you must be nominated by that employer.
Latest update: extension to January 2027
Both South Australian DAMAs have been extended again. The latest extension runs to 31 January 2027, and the terms stay the same while the state negotiates a new five-year statewide DAMA with the Commonwealth.
Earlier extensions ran to 30 June 2026 and then 30 September 2026, so older blog posts may show the wrong end date.
What does this mean for you? Current rules still apply. But if you are planning an application, watch for the announcement of the new agreement, because the occupation list or concessions could change.
The two South Australian DAMAs
South Australia has two agreements.
- Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement – covers the Adelaide metropolitan region only
- South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement – covers the whole state
Which one fits depends on your job and where it is located. The state’s DAMA occupation list shows where each job is available, what the nominee must meet and which concessions apply.
Some jobs are not on the list at all. And some are blocked because they already sit under an Industry Labour Agreement. For example, aged care providers cannot use certain occupations under the SA DAMA and must look at other programs.
Which visas can you get?
| Visa | Type | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) | Temporary | Can lead to the 186 visa |
| Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) | Provisional | Can lead to the 191 visa |
| Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) | Permanent | Usually after time on a 482 |
| Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence Skilled Regional) | Permanent | After time on a 494, if income and residency rules are met |
An endorsed employer can hold a labour agreement for five years. Inside that agreement, they nominate workers one by one.
What employers must show
Before Home Affairs looks at the case, the DAR checks the business. In short, the employer needs to show:
- The business has been operating lawfully in the designated area of South Australia for at least 12 months, and is financially stable
- It meets all sponsorship obligations
- It is the direct employer and will be a party to the labour agreement
- It has looked at its workforce needs, including changes in the last six months
- The job is genuine, full-time and ongoing, with duties that match the listed occupation
- Annual earnings are at least the market salary rate and the income threshold (or the reduced threshold, where allowed)
- The job is located in the area set for that occupation on the DAMA list
Labour market testing
The employer must make a real effort to hire Australian citizens and permanent residents first. Ads should run on a prominent or professional recruitment website.
The DAR checks each case on its own merits. If the testing looks weak, endorsement can be refused.
What workers must meet
As a worker, you generally need:
- A genuine full-time job offer from an employer that is endorsed or applying for endorsement
- An occupation that is on the SA DAMA occupation list
- The work experience the list asks for (some jobs have a reduced requirement)
- English test results that meet the standard, or the concession for your job
- A skills assessment, where your occupation needs one. The DAR does this for certain jobs
- Any licence or registration needed to work in South Australia
- Health and character checks
Note that Skilled and Business Migration does not judge your skills and qualifications. Home Affairs does that at the nomination stage.
SA DAMA concessions
Concessions depend on the occupation. Always check the DAMA occupation list for your exact job.
Age
The 482 visa has no age limit. But for the 186 visa, nominees are normally under 45. Under the SA DAMA, many jobs allow nominees to be under 55 at the time of nomination. The same under-55 limit can apply to the 494 visa for selected jobs.
English
- 482 and 494: IELTS 5.0 overall (or equal) with at least 4.0 in each band, for specified jobs
- 482 and 494, semi-skilled jobs in outer regional SA: IELTS 4.5 overall with at least 4.0 in each band
- 186: IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 4.5 in each band, where the list allows it
These concessions do not apply when a licence or registration body needs higher English.
Salary
The standard income threshold (TSMIT and CSIT) is $79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. For some jobs, the SA DAMA allows a reduced threshold of 90 per cent. The state puts this at about $71,480.
There is a catch. The employer must show the lower pay will not leave the worker at financial risk or open to exploitation. Also, the worker must still receive the market salary rate for the role.
Work experience
Some occupations need less work experience than the standard 482, 494 or 186 rules. The occupation list shows the exact figure per job.
How the process works, step by step
Step 1: Check the occupation
Search your job on the SA DAMA occupation list. Check the area, the concessions and any limits.
Step 2: Apply for DAR endorsement
The employer applies to Skilled and Business Migration with business details, workforce needs and recruitment evidence. As reported by law firms, the state charges no fee for endorsement, but confirm this on the official site.
Step 3: Labour agreement with Home Affairs
Once endorsed, the employer works with Home Affairs to finalise the labour agreement. Home Affairs makes its own decision, so endorsement is not a promise of approval. Timing varies by case.
Step 4: Nomination
The employer nominates the position, and Home Affairs reviews the nomination.
Step 5: Visa application
The worker applies for the 482 or 494 visa. Fees change, so check the current charges on the Home Affairs website.
After the agreement is signed
Employers can ask for a variation once a year. This lets them add occupations, raise nomination numbers, or nominate a current 482 worker for the 186 visa.
Path to permanent residency
482 to 186
For SA DAMA applications endorsed on or after 27 June 2025, a nominee must hold the 482 visa for at least two years before the employer nominates them for the 186 visa. This used to be three years.
The employer asks for this through a variation to the labour agreement, and the DAR must endorse it.
494 to 191
Workers on a 494 visa can move to the 191 visa, if they meet the income and residency rules.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling DAMA a visa. It is an agreement. You still need to apply for a visa.
- Using an old end date. The current extension runs to 31 January 2027.
- Picking the wrong agreement. Check whether your job fits the Adelaide City agreement or the statewide regional one.
- Weak job ads. Poor labour market testing is a common reason for delay.
- Using the old salary figure. The threshold rose on 1 July 2026.
- Assuming every job has concessions. Not every occupation gets them.
- Forgetting licences. Some jobs need SA registration before you can start.
FAQs about the DAMA visa in Adelaide
Can I apply for a DAMA visa without a job offer?
No. You must be nominated by a business that holds, or is seeking, DAMA endorsement.
Does the DAMA cover Adelaide city?
Yes. The Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement covers the Adelaide metropolitan region, and the regional agreement covers the whole state.
How long is the SA DAMA valid?
Both agreements are extended to 31 January 2027. A new five-year statewide agreement is being negotiated. Employers with a signed labour agreement can usually keep it for its set term, but check your own agreement.
How fast can I get PR through the SA DAMA?
For applications endorsed on or after 27 June 2025, a 482 holder can be nominated for the 186 visa after two years.
Is the age limit really 55?
For many occupations, yes. But it depends on your job, so check the DAMA occupation list.
What is the minimum salary?
The standard threshold is $79,423 for nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027. A 10 per cent reduction can apply to some jobs, which puts it at roughly $71,480.
Can aged care workers use the SA DAMA?
Some aged care occupations are blocked because they sit under an Industry Labour Agreement. Employers should check the list or look at other programs.
Need help with a DAMA application in Adelaide?
A DAMA case has two approval stages, tight job-ad rules and a list that can change. One small mistake can cost months.
The Adelaide migration agent at Asia Pacific Group can check your job, your employer’s position and your best visa pathway. Visit our Adelaide office or book a consultation to get advice that fits your case.
Important: This article provides general information only. Visa requirements, charges and processing times change, and your eligibility depends on your individual circumstances. Always check the latest information on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you make a visa application. For advice about your situation, consider speaking with a registered migration agent or qualified legal professional.
