Adelaide City DAMA: Occupations, Concessions and How It Works

What the Adelaide City DAMA is

A DAMA works on two levels. Home Affairs describes it as "a two-tier framework covering a defined regional area": a five-year head agreement between the Australian Government and the region's Designated Area Representative (DAR), and then individual labour agreements between the Australian Government and each endorsed employer, made on the head agreement's terms.

In South Australia the DAR is Skilled and Business Migration, part of the state's Department of State Development. It runs two head agreements:

• The Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement, which South Australia's employer FAQ says covers "the Adelaide Metropolitan region only".
• The South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement, which covers "the entire state of South Australia". Our guide to the South Australia regional DAMA covers it in detail.

Both are on Home Affairs' list of the 13 DAMAs in place (page last updated 7 October 2026). Under either one, an employer's labour agreement uses the labour agreement streams of three visas: the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186). Home Affairs says individual DAMA labour agreements are "generally in effect for five years".

One limit applies before anything else. Where an occupation is covered by an Industry Labour Agreement, South Australia says it can be approved under the DAMA only if the worker will be employed in a different industry from the one that Industry Labour Agreement covers.

Where it applies: Greater Adelaide

South Australia describes the area in two slightly different ways. Its FAQ says the agreement covers "the Adelaide Metropolitan region only". Its occupation list gives the availability of every Adelaide City occupation as "Greater Adelaide", and its DAMA postcode fact sheet (last updated February 2022, and still linked from the occupation list) defines Greater Adelaide by postcode.

On that fact sheet, Greater Adelaide for the Adelaide City DAMA is 177 postcodes, from 5000 to 5960. By our count they take in every postcode the sheet lists as Adelaide Metropolitan and every postcode it lists as Inner Regional, which it says "includes areas such as Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Gawler, Barossa and Murray Bridge". So a workplace outside the suburbs can still be inside Greater Adelaide. South Australia requires the vacant position to be located in the area the occupation list gives, so check the postcode of the actual workplace against the sheet.

Adelaide employers aren't limited to this agreement. Of the 322 entries on the South Australian Regional Workforce list, 240 are marked "Whole of South Australia", which includes Adelaide. An employer doesn't have to pick between the two up front. South Australia's answer to which agreement to choose is: "You will be guided to the correct DAMA based on the nominated occupation."

The steps, in order

The steps run in this order. Endorsement comes before the labour agreement, and the labour agreement comes before any nomination.

1. The employer checks the occupation and the location. The occupation has to be on the Adelaide City list and the job in Greater Adelaide. The position must be genuine, full-time and ongoing, with duties that match the occupation.
2. The employer advertises the job in Australia. South Australia's checklist asks for at least two job advertisements published within the last 12 months on a platform with national reach, each for at least 28 days. Labour market testing evidence is needed at endorsement and again when the employer nominates.
3. The employer applies to the DAR for endorsement. The application goes through the Skilled and Business Migration online portal, lodged by the business or by a registered migration agent acting for it (with a Form 956). There is no fee. South Australia's processing times page gives a current average of 2 to 8 weeks for DAMA endorsement. If it is approved, the DAR issues a Letter of Endorsement, valid for 12 months. A business can be endorsed only once in a 12-month period for each agreement, and there are no review rights if the DAR refuses.
4. The employer requests a labour agreement from Home Affairs. The request goes through ImmiAccount, with the endorsement letter. South Australia says entering into a labour agreement costs nothing. Home Affairs decides, and South Australia's checklist warns: "Endorsement by the Government of South Australia does not guarantee approval by the Australian Government." Its FAQ adds that there are no review rights if the Department declines the request.
5. The employer nominates the worker. The nomination is lodged with Home Affairs under the labour agreement, and the employer pays the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. For a non-ANZSCO occupation, or one not on the national skilled occupation lists, the worker may need a skills assessment from the DAR. Only an employer with a signed labour agreement and an allocated number of places for that year can ask for one (current average 2 to 4 weeks).
6. The worker applies for the visa. The worker lodges the 482, 494 or 186 application with Home Affairs and pays the visa application charge. In South Australia's words: "The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs is responsible in making all visa decisions."
7. Later, the step to permanent residence. A 482 holder can be nominated for the 186 after holding the 482 under the SA DAMA for at least two years, where the employer's DAMA application was endorsed on or after 27 June 2025 (three years for earlier endorsements). South Australia says 186 places for future years can be requested in the original application or in a variation request, and the DAR endorses the 186 nomination only when the worker is eligible. A 494 holder's permanent pathway is the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).

Home Affairs sets the nomination fee, the levy and the visa charges, and they change, so check the current amounts before budgeting.

The 57 occupations on the Adelaide City list

As read on 31 October 2026, the Adelaide City section of South Australia's DAMA occupation list has 57 occupations, each with its availability given as "Greater Adelaide". Nine are non-ANZSCO occupations, created for the DAMA and given the code 070499; South Australia publishes occupation profiles setting out their duties. The other 48 use ANZSCO codes. 52 are skill level 1 and 5 are skill level 2 (Digital Artist and the four science technician occupations). Here they are, grouped as South Australia groups them:

• Non-ANZSCO occupations (070499): Advancement Manager, Advancement Professional, Clinical Researcher, Data and Analytics Manager, Digital Artist, Digital Producer, Digital Production Manager, Digital Supervisor, Senior Digital Artist.
• Chief executives and general managers: Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111), Corporate General Manager (111211).
• Specialist managers: Arts Administrator or Manager (139911), Chief Information Officer (135111), Corporate Services Manager (132111), Education Managers nec (134499), ICT Project Manager (135112), Importer or Exporter (133311), Laboratory Manager (139913), Policy and Planning Manager (132411), Public Relations Manager (131114), Research and Development Manager (132511), Specialist Managers nec (139999).
• Arts and media professionals: Film and Video Editor (212314).
• Business, human resource and marketing professionals: Information and Organisation Professionals nec (224999), Librarian (224611), Mathematician (224112), Statistician (224113), Training and Development Professional (223311).
• Design, engineering, science and transport professionals: Biochemist (234513), Biotechnologist (234514), Botanist (234515), Chemist (234211), Environmental Research Scientist (234313), Environmental Scientists nec (234399), Geophysicist (234412), Graphic Designer (232411), Hydrogeologist (234413), Illustrator (232412), Life Scientist (General) (234511), Life Scientists nec (234599), Marine Biologist (234516), Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611), Meteorologist (234913), Microbiologist (234517), Multimedia Designer (232413), Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec (234999), Naval Architect (233916), Other Spatial Scientist (232214), Physicist (Medical Physicist Only) (234914), Physicist (non-medical) (234914), Web Designer (232414).
• ICT professionals: Multimedia Specialist (261211), Web Developer (261212).
• Engineering, ICT and science technicians: Chemistry Technician (311411), Earth Science Technician (311412), Life Science Technician (311413), Science Technicians nec (311499).

The list is the authority, and it changes. South Australia says its DAMA occupations are set in consultation with industry and government data on shortages, and that there is "an opportunity for an annual review of this list". Read the live list before an employer applies.

Concessions under the Adelaide City agreement

A concession is a change to a normal visa requirement that the DAMA allows for a listed occupation. South Australia's concessions page names four kinds: work experience, age and permanent residency pathways, English, and the income threshold (TSMIT/CSIT). Which ones apply is set occupation by occupation, and South Australia says: "You must refer to the DAMA occupation list to confirm which concessions apply to your nominated position."

On the Adelaide City list as read on 31 October 2026:

• Age: all 57 occupations. For the 494 and the 186, the worker "must be under 55 years of age at the time of the approved sponsor's nomination". The 482 has no age limit, but a 482 holder has to be under 55 when applying for the 186. Without the concession, South Australia notes, applicants must typically be under 45 to move from the 482 to the 186.
• Work experience: set on each entry. For the ANZSCO occupations the list asks for at least one year of relevant work experience for a 482 or 494 where the qualification was obtained in Australia, two years for a 494 in addition to the qualification, and three years for a 186. The experience has to be in the last 5 years, in the occupation or a related one at the same skill level. The non-ANZSCO occupations set their own qualification and experience rules on each entry.
• English: none. No Adelaide City occupation shows an English concession, so the visa's standard English requirement applies.
• Income threshold: none. No Adelaide City occupation shows an income threshold concession. South Australia's endorsement rules say annual earnings must be at least the Annual Market Salary Rate and the TSMIT/CSIT. Home Affairs sets both thresholds at AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

The English and income threshold concessions on South Australia's concessions page are found on the South Australian Regional Workforce list instead, on 201 and 110 of its 322 entries.

What an employer has to show

South Australia's endorsement requirements and terms set out what the business must show. In summary:

• Operating in the area. The business must be "actively and lawfully operating within the designated area of South Australia for at least 12 months and be financially viable". The evidence includes a letter from a chartered accountant or certified practising accountant, a profit and loss report for the last financial year and two recent Business Activity Statements.
• A direct employer. The nominating business must be the direct employer and a party to the labour agreement. South Australia says a labour hire company can't use the DAMA to place workers with clients (it points to on-hire labour agreements instead), and a business run through a trust applies in the trustee's name. "Self-sponsorship is not supported under any labour agreements, including DAMAs."
• A real, full-time job. Genuine, full-time and ongoing. South Australia's FAQ treats full time as generally 38 hours a week, or 32 to 45 hours where an award or agreement says so, and never casual.
• Pay at the market rate. Earnings at least the Annual Market Salary Rate (what an Australian in the same job earns or would earn) and the TSMIT/CSIT.
• A genuine attempt to recruit Australians first. The advertising evidence above, plus a short statement from the employer on why it couldn't hire locally. South Australia says a business case isn't required.
• Clean records. Disclosure of any investigation, audit, conviction, finding of non-compliance or legal action in the last five years, especially on immigration, industrial relations and workplace safety.
• Workforce planning. The business states how many overseas workers it needs for the next 12 months. South Australia supports one variation in each year of a labour agreement and won't accept one in the first six months after a new agreement is signed.

After endorsement, the employer must give each worker settlement information.

Extended to 31 January 2027, with a statewide DAMA to follow

On 21 September 2026 Migration South Australia announced: "South Australia's two Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) have been extended for a further four months until 31 January 2027, while negotiations conclude for a new five-year statewide DAMA." It added that "The current terms and conditions of both DAMAs remain unchanged since the last variation in June 2026."

That is all South Australia has published about the replacement. It says: "Further announcements on the new five-year DAMA and the transition arrangement will be made once negotiations have concluded." It hasn't said whether the new agreement will keep the Adelaide City occupations or concessions, or how labour agreements made under the current DAMAs will be treated. Home Affairs' DAMA page says only that "The department is currently supporting the transition to state and territory-led DAMAs."

Two dates matter in the meantime. A Letter of Endorsement is valid for 12 months from approval, and the head agreement currently runs to 31 January 2027. Check both, and Migration South Australia's news page, before starting an application.

For workers: how a DAMA visa happens

South Australia is plain about this: "Individuals cannot apply for a visa under the labour agreement streams independently". A worker is nominated by an endorsed employer that holds a labour agreement, and that employer first has to show it couldn't find a suitable Australian.

There is no queue for workers to join. South Australia says: "Skilled & Business Migration do not provide a service linking prospective nominees with employers." It points instead to the list of current labour agreements that Home Affairs publishes (current as at 31 August 2026 when read), which Home Affairs says "is not a list of preferred providers". Migratio doesn't find jobs or connect workers with endorsed employers either.

A worker whose employer plans to use the Adelaide City DAMA can check two things on the occupation list: that the occupation is there, and which qualification, work experience and age rules apply to it. Apart from the DAR skills assessments some occupations need, South Australia says it doesn't assess the nominee's skills and qualifications; that is for Home Affairs at the nomination stage.

Getting help with the Adelaide City DAMA

The endorsement, the labour agreement request, the nomination and the visa application each have their own forms and evidence, and a refused endorsement can't be reviewed. South Australia's own advice to employers is that if they are "having difficulty navigating the process, you can seek advice from a registered migration agent or other qualified professional". An agent can lodge the endorsement application for the business with a Form 956, and can also help with the labour agreement, nomination and visa steps.

If you're an employer weighing up the DAMA, or a worker whose employer has offered to nominate you, you can compare registered migration agents in Adelaide on Migratio. Each agent's consultation fee is shown before you book, and you pay only for the consult you book.

Can I apply for the Adelaide City DAMA myself?

No. Only an employer can apply. South Australia says individuals cannot apply for a visa under the labour agreement streams independently. An endorsed Greater Adelaide employer with a labour agreement nominates the worker, and the worker then applies for the visa.

Is Adelaide covered by a DAMA?

Yes, by two. The Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement covers Greater Adelaide for its 57 listed occupations, and the South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement covers the whole state, Adelaide included, for occupations it marks "Whole of South Australia" (240 of its 322 entries as read on 31 October 2026).

When does the Adelaide City DAMA end?

On 21 September 2026 South Australia extended both of its DAMAs to 31 January 2027, with terms unchanged, while it negotiates a new five-year statewide DAMA. It hasn't published the new agreement's terms.

What is the age limit under the Adelaide City DAMA?

Every occupation on the Adelaide City list, as read on 31 October 2026, has an age limit of under 55 at the time of the sponsor's nomination for the 494 and the 186. The 482 has no age limit, but a 482 holder has to be under 55 when applying for the 186.

Does the Adelaide City DAMA lower the English requirement?

Not for any of its 57 occupations as read on 31 October 2026. The English concessions South Australia offers appear on the South Australian Regional Workforce list.

How much does DAMA endorsement cost, and how long does it take?

South Australia charges no fee for endorsement, and entering into the labour agreement costs nothing. Home Affairs charges the nomination fee, the Skilling Australians Fund levy and the visa application charge. South Australia's processing times page gives a current average of 2 to 8 weeks for DAMA endorsement.

Can a refused endorsement be reviewed?

No. South Australia's FAQ says there are no review rights if the DAR decides not to endorse an employer, or if Home Affairs declines a labour agreement request. A business can reapply if its circumstances change.