South Australian Regional Workforce DAMA: Occupations, Concessions and Where They Apply

What the Regional Workforce agreement is

South Australia's Designated Area Representative (DAR), Skilled and Business Migration in the Department of State Development, runs two head agreements with the Australian Government. Its employer FAQ describes them this way:

• the Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement covers "the Adelaide Metropolitan region only";
• the South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement covers "the entire state of South Australia".

Home Affairs lists it as "South Australia Regional" among the 13 DAMAs in place (page last updated 7 October 2026). An endorsed employer's labour agreement under it uses the labour agreement streams of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186). South Australia says eligible employers "can hold a labour agreement for 5 years".

An employer doesn't choose between the two agreements up front. Asked "Which Labour Agreement should I choose? Adelaide City or SA Regional?", South Australia answers: "You will be guided to the correct DAMA based on the nominated occupation." An occupation covered by an Industry Labour Agreement can be approved under the DAMA only if the worker will be employed in a different industry from the one that agreement covers.

Where each occupation applies

Each entry on the list states where in South Australia the occupation is available. Counting the 322 entries in the Regional Workforce section as read on 31 October 2026:

• 240 are available in the whole of South Australia.
• 59 are available in inner and outer regional South Australia and selected Adelaide metropolitan postcodes. Most are farming, horticulture, wine, fishing, aquaculture and forestry occupations.
• 11 are available in inner and outer regional South Australia only.
• 11 are available in outer regional South Australia only.
• 1, Glazier (333111), is available in the Adelaide metropolitan area and inner regional South Australia.

The areas are defined by postcode in South Australia's DAMA postcode fact sheet (last updated February 2022, and linked from the current list). It sorts the state's postcodes into Adelaide Metropolitan, Inner Regional and Outer Regional. Inner Regional, it says, "includes areas such as Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Gawler, Barossa and Murray Bridge". Some Adelaide Metropolitan postcodes carry an asterisk, which the sheet explains: "Postcodes are eligible for selected agribusiness occupations." Check the workplace postcode against the sheet before relying on an entry.

A few occupations appear twice, under two codes (Plumber (General) under 334111 and 334116, for example), so there are slightly fewer distinct occupations than entries. Occupations created for the DAMA carry the code 070499: 41 of the 322 entries are non-ANZSCO. Four of those non-ANZSCO entries (Dairy Cattle Farm Operator, Irrigation Technician, Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker and Senior Piggery Stockperson) are available only for 186 nominations of workers who already hold a 482 in that occupation under the SA DAMA.

Examples from the list

The list is long, so here are examples by group with the concessions each entry shows, as read on 31 October 2026. "English" means an English concession is listed and "income threshold" means the lower threshold is available. Every entry also has the age concession.

• Health: the registered nurse occupations (Registered Nurse (Aged Care), 254412, for example), Midwife (254111) and General Practitioner (253111) are available in the whole state with no English or income threshold concession. Physiotherapist (252511) has an English concession. Dentist (252312) is available in outer regional South Australia only, with an English concession.
• Care: Aged or disabled carer (423111), Personal care assistant (423313), Nursing support worker (423312), Enrolled Nurse (411411) and Child Care Worker (421111): whole state, English and income threshold.
• Trades: Electrician (General) (341111), Motor Mechanic (General) (321211) and Diesel Motor Mechanic (321212): whole state, no English or income threshold concession. Carpenter (331212) and Bricklayer (331111): income threshold. Welder (First Class) (322313) and Fitter (General) (323211): English. Painting Trades Worker (332211): English and income threshold.
• Hospitality and food: Chef (351311), Cook (351411), Baker (351111), Pastry Cook (351112) and Cafe or Restaurant Manager (141111): whole state, English and income threshold. The non-ANZSCO Sommelier and Cook (ethnic cuisine) are the same. Hospitality Worker (070499) is available in outer regional South Australia only, with English and income threshold.
• Farming and wine: Vineyard Manager (070499), Winery Worker (070499), Dairy Cattle Farmer (121313) and Fruit or Nut Grower (121213): inner and outer regional South Australia plus selected Adelaide postcodes, English and income threshold.
• Transport: Truck Driver (General) (733111): whole state, English. Log Truck Driver (070499): inner and outer regional South Australia only.
• ICT and teaching: Software Engineer (261313), Primary School Teacher (241213) and Secondary School Teacher (241411): whole state, no English or income threshold concession.

The aged or disabled carer entry shows how detailed an entry can be. For the 482 and 494 the worker must have a skills assessment by the DAR, at least 1 year of work experience (3 years for the 186), and an AQF Certificate III or higher (minimum course duration 6 months) with at least 120 hours of practical experience in the training, or 2 years of relevant work experience in place of the qualification. Work experience must be at least 20 hours a week.

English concessions

South Australia's concessions page and the list set out three English concession types, in IELTS terms, with equivalent scores accepted from other tests:

• Type 1, for the 482 and 494: "Overall score of IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum score of IELTS 4.0 (or equivalent) for each individual band."
• Type 2, for the 482 and 494 in outer regional South Australia only: an overall IELTS score of 4.5 with a minimum of 4.0 in each band. The concessions page describes it as being for "specified semi-skilled occupations located in outer regional South Australia".
• Type 3, for the 186: "Overall score of IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum score of IELTS 4.5 (or equivalent) for each individual band."

On the Regional Workforce list as read on 31 October 2026, 201 of the 322 entries show an English concession, and 56 of those include Type 2. South Australia adds: "These concessions are not available where registration or licensing requires a higher level of English." Where a registration or licensing body sets a higher English standard, that standard still applies.

South Australia accepts equivalent scores from IELTS, OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic (not the home version), Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and the Michigan English Test.

The lower income threshold

South Australia's endorsement rules require annual earnings of at least the Annual Market Salary Rate and the TSMIT/CSIT. Home Affairs applies the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) to the 482's Core Skills stream and to the 186, and the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) to the 494, and sets both at AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

For occupations marked "TSMIT Concession - Available for this occupation" (110 of the 322 entries as read on 31 October 2026), South Australia allows a lower threshold: "A reduced TSMIT or CSIT is 90% of TSMIT or CSIT." South Australia gives the percentage, not a dollar figure. At AUD 79,423, 90% works out at AUD 71,480.70 by our arithmetic. The market rate rule still applies, so the worker must still be paid at least what an Australian in the same job earns or would earn.

South Australia sets out three ways the reduced threshold can be made up:

• Type 1: monetary earnings of at least the reduced threshold, with no non-monetary earnings counted.
• Type 2: monetary earnings plus other non-monetary earnings worth no more than 10% of the reduced threshold, adding up to at least the reduced threshold.
• Type 3: monetary earnings plus food and board valued at no more than South Australia's published homestay rates, adding up to at least the reduced threshold.

Earnings can include guaranteed overtime where it is consistent with industry practice and the National Employment Standards. The employer must also show that using the concession won't undermine the worker's ability to support themselves, place them at financial risk or lead to exploitation.

Age and the path to permanent residence

Every entry on the Regional Workforce list, as read on 31 October 2026, carries the age concession:

• 494: the worker "must be under 55 years of age at the time of the approved sponsor's nomination". South Australia gives the usual 494 limit as under 45.
• 482: no age limit, but a 482 holder has to be under 55 when applying for the 186.
• 186: under 55 at the time of the sponsor's nomination.

The permanent routes depend on the visa. A 482 holder can be nominated for the 186 after holding the 482 under the SA DAMA for at least two years, where the DAMA application was endorsed on or after 27 June 2025 (three years for applications endorsed before then). Employers request 186 places for future years in the original application or in a variation. A 494 holder's route is the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), which South Australia notes is "subject to meeting income and residency criteria".

South Australia also says it "will continue to endorse existing temporary visa holders aged 45 years or older sponsored in aged care occupations under the SA DAMA for an ENS pathway to ensure business continuity and to minimise the impacts for essential workers".

How an employer applies

The process is the same for both South Australian agreements, and our Adelaide City DAMA guide sets out each step in detail. In short:

1. Employer: checks that the occupation is on the list for the workplace's area, and advertises the job (at least two advertisements on a platform with national reach, each for at least 28 days, within the last 12 months).
2. Employer, or a registered migration agent acting for it: applies to Skilled and Business Migration for endorsement through its online portal. There is no fee, and South Australia's current average processing time is 2 to 8 weeks. The Letter of Endorsement is valid for 12 months.
3. Employer: requests a labour agreement from Home Affairs through ImmiAccount. There is no fee, and endorsement doesn't guarantee approval.
4. Employer: nominates the worker with Home Affairs, paying the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Some occupations need a skills assessment from the DAR first; the aged or disabled carer entry requires one for the 482 and 494.
5. Worker: applies for the visa with Home Affairs, which makes the decision.

The business must have been actively and lawfully operating in the designated area for at least 12 months, be financially viable, be the direct employer (not a labour hire arrangement), offer a genuine full-time ongoing job paid at least the market rate, and disclose any adverse findings from the last five years. There are no review rights if endorsement or the labour agreement is refused.

Extended to 31 January 2027

On 21 September 2026 Migration South Australia announced that both of the state's DAMAs "have been extended for a further four months until 31 January 2027, while negotiations conclude for a new five-year statewide DAMA", and that their terms and conditions "remain unchanged since the last variation in June 2026". It says "Further announcements on the new five-year DAMA and the transition arrangement will be made once negotiations have concluded."

South Australia hasn't published the new agreement's occupations, concessions or start date, or said how existing labour agreements will be treated. Home Affairs says it "is currently supporting the transition to state and territory-led DAMAs". Check Migration South Australia's news page before an employer applies.

For workers, and getting help

A worker can't apply under the Regional Workforce agreement. South Australia's FAQ: "No. A worker interested in a visa cannot apply independently. Employers must apply to the DAR to access the South Australian DAMA first." South Australia doesn't link workers with employers, and Migratio doesn't find jobs or match workers with endorsed employers. Home Affairs publishes a list of current labour agreements, which it says is not a list of preferred providers.

South Australia tells employers that find the process hard that they "can seek advice from a registered migration agent or other qualified professional". You can compare registered migration agents in Adelaide and across South Australia on Migratio, with each agent's consultation fee shown before you book, whether you're the employer or the worker it wants to nominate.

Does the South Australian Regional DAMA cover Adelaide?

Yes, for many occupations. South Australia says the agreement covers the entire state. As read on 31 October 2026, 240 of its 322 entries are available in the whole of South Australia, metropolitan Adelaide included. Others are limited to regional areas or to selected postcodes.

What English score does the SA DAMA accept?

Where an occupation has an English concession: for the 482 and 494, an overall IELTS 5.0 with at least 4.0 in each band (Type 1), or in outer regional South Australia for some occupations an overall 4.5 with at least 4.0 in each band (Type 2); for the 186, an overall 5.0 with at least 4.5 in each band (Type 3). Equivalent scores on other approved tests count. The concessions don't apply where registration or licensing needs a higher level.

What salary does the SA DAMA allow?

For the 110 entries with an income threshold concession, the threshold is 90% of the TSMIT or CSIT. At the AUD 79,423 that applies to nominations lodged from 1 July 2026, that is AUD 71,480.70 by our arithmetic. The worker must still be paid at least the market rate for the job.

What is the age limit under the SA Regional DAMA?

Under 55 at the time of the sponsor's nomination for the 494 and the 186, on every entry as read on 31 October 2026. The 482 has no age limit, but a 482 holder has to be under 55 when applying for the 186.

Can I apply for the SA DAMA as a worker?

No. South Australia says a worker cannot apply independently; an endorsed South Australian employer with a labour agreement has to nominate them.

Is aged care on the SA DAMA list?

Yes. Aged or disabled carer (423111) is available in the whole state with English and income threshold concessions. For the 482 and 494 the worker needs a skills assessment by the DAR, at least 1 year of work experience and an AQF Certificate III or higher with 120 hours of practical experience, or 2 years of work experience in place of the qualification. The 186 needs 3 years of work experience.

When does the South Australian Regional DAMA end?

It has been extended to 31 January 2027, with terms unchanged, while South Australia negotiates a new five-year statewide DAMA. The new agreement's terms haven't been published.