This extension comes with several ongoing benefits and one major update: a faster pathway to permanent residency (PR) for holders of the Skills in Demand (SID) 482 visa under the DAMA.
Extension to 30 June 2026
Both South Australian DAMAs have officially been extended through to mid-2026. This extension gives certainty to employers and migrants alike, supporting economic growth and regional development through skilled migration.
482 to 186 PR Pathway in 2 Years
One of the most significant updates is the reduction in the required period for PR application. Holders of the 482 visa through DAMA can now apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa after only two years on their 482 visa.
Previously, applicants were required to wait three years. This change provides a faster and more appealing path to permanent residency for skilled migrants working in South Australia.
DAMA Concessions
South Australia continues to offer important concessions through the DAMA program, making it more accessible than standard employer-sponsored visas. Depending on the occupation, these can include:
Age concession: Applicants can be up to 55 years old
Income concession: A 10% reduction on the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
English language concessions for certain occupations
Work experience concessions, depending on the role
These flexibilities provide greater opportunities for both employers seeking to fill skill gaps and workers hoping to settle in Australia.
Industry Labour Agreements Take Priority
Starting from 1 July 2025, occupations listed under specific Industry Labour Agreements (ILAs) will no longer be available under the South Australian DAMA if they are already covered by the relevant ILA.
For example, aged care providers will no longer be able to sponsor certain workers under the DAMA and must instead use the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA) or alternative programs such as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
Employers must ensure they are using the correct migration program based on their sector and the occupation they intend to sponsor.
A New Five-Year Statewide DAMA
The South Australian Government has announced its intention to negotiate a new five-year statewide DAMA with the Commonwealth Government during the 2025–26 financial year. This would continue the state’s proactive approach to attracting skilled workers and meeting local workforce needs.
Need Assistance with a DAMA Application?
If you are:
An employer in South Australia experiencing skill shortages
A skilled worker seeking a pathway to work and live in South Australia
The DAMA program may be an ideal solution. At Work Visa Lawyers, we assist both employers and individuals with:
From 1 July 2025, income thresholds for skilled visas will increase by 4.6%, in line with updates to the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). These changes deliver on commitments outlined in the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy and reflect recommendations from the Migration Review.
This annual indexation ensures that wages for skilled migrants grow in step with Australian earnings—helping to prevent skilled migration from being used to undercut local workers.
For nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2025, employers must offer a salary that meets or exceeds the new threshold or the annual market salary rate —whichever is higher.
These changes do not apply to:
Existing visa holders, or
Nominations lodged before 1 July 2025.
High Income Threshold Updates
The High Income Threshold will also raise from 1 July 2025:
Current: $175,000
New High Income Threshold (from 1 July 2025): $183,100
The High Income Threshold is one of the factors that may be used to assess the applicant's exceptional and outstanding achievements.
In short, if you meet the requirements for the 186 Visa, going straight to permanent residency is often the best path. But not everyone qualifies immediately—and that’s where the temporary 482 Visa becomes a valuable stepping stone to living and working in Australia.
In this blog, we’ll explain what each visa involves, their pros and cons, and how to decide which one fits your situation best.
Requirement for the 482 Visa and the 186 Direct Entry Visa
To apply for 482 or 186 visas, you must have an Australian employer to sponsor and nominate you.
We know this can be difficult—especially if you’re currently overseas—but it’s not impossible. Thousands of skilled workers secure employer sponsorship in Australia every year.
We’ve created a video and a blog with tips on how to find a sponsor in Australia to assist you in this journey.
Skills in Demand 482 Visa – Temporary Visa with Permanent Residency Pathway
The Skills in Demand 482 Visa (Core Skills Stream) allows you to live and work in Australia for up to four years. It is a more accessible option for many skilled workers and enables them to start working in Australia sooner.
482 Visa Requirements:
Have an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List – There are 456 eligible occupations including Registered Nurse, Civil Engineer, Chef, ICT Business Analyst, Marketing Specialist, Content Creator, Agricultural Technician and Mechanic.
Skills Assessment often not required (unless you're a tradesperson or applying for certain administrative roles).
Have at least 1 year of work experience in the last 5 years.
Lower English requirement – IELTS 5.0 or PTE 36
No age limit – There is no age limit to apply for a 482 visa. We’ve seen applicants over 45 successfully obtain and renew 482 visas for years. However, to apply for permanent residency, the applicant must be under 45 years old (unless exemptions apply).
An employer to nominate you for a 186 Visa Temporary Transition Stream
Competent English: IELTS 6.0 or PTE 50
To be under 45 years old at the time of application
This pathway makes the 482 visa a stepping stone to PR for those who don’t yet meet the 186 Direct Entry criteria.
What If You’re Over 45 or Not on the Core Skills List?
If you’re over 45 or your occupation isn’t on the Core Skills List, you may still have options—particularly through Labour Agreements like the DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreements).
These agreements:
Offer more flexible age limits (up to 55 years old)
Include a wider range of occupations (e.g. truck drivers, horticultural workers, carers)
But if you don’t yet meet the above criteria and need to start working in Australia sooner, then the 482 visa is a strong, flexible option that can lead to Permanent Residency after two years.
Applying for a 482 or 186 visa
Our team of experienced migration professionals can help you:
We understand how frustrating it can be when you're waiting on a visa decision. Many applicants expect a quick turnaround after submitting their 482 Visa application, only to find themselves waiting months with little to no updates.
We’ll also explain what might be causing delays, how priority processing works, and what steps you can take if your visa is taking longer than expected.
Therefore, applicants who applied before 7 December 2024 are awaiting a decision on the old TSS 482 Visa, while those who applied on or after 7 December 2024 are waiting for a decision on the SID 482 Visa.
Processing times for old TSS 482 Visa applications are longer
The standard processing times for the TSS 482 Visa for the Medium- and Short-Term Streams are currently, at the time of writing, as follows:
50% processed in 5 months
90% processed in 9 months
Processing times for Skills in Demand (SID) 482 Visa applications are shorter
This means that 10% of applications are taking longer than 3 months—sometimes much longer.
Specialist Skills Stream
50% processed in 8 days
90% processed in 67 days
482 Visa priority processing times
There are also several other considerations that affect 482 Visa processing times, such as the occupation you’ve applied for. Under Direction 105, processing priorities are assigned as follows:
Priority 1: Employer-sponsored visas for occupations to be carried out in a designated regional area
Priority 2: Visas related to healthcare or teaching occupations
Priority 3: Employer-sponsored visas where the applicant is nominated by an approved sponsor with Accredited Status
Priority 4: Permanent and temporary visa subclasses that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa
Priority 5: All other visa applications
If you fall under Priority 5, your application may take longer to be processed.
Accredited sponsors
Nominations and visa applications from accredited sponsors are generally processed faster. From an employer’s perspective, applying to become an accredited sponsor can significantly reduce processing times.
Long processing times may lead to refusals
If your application is taking significantly longer than the standard processing times, it may be undergoing additional checks. Depending on the findings by the Department of Home Affairs, there may be further information requests—or in some cases, the application may be refused.
Make sure all required information has been provided, and that your medical examinations and character requirements have been completed, as these are crucial to visa processing.
What can I do if my 482 Visa is taking longer than standard processing times?
You may wish to follow up with your Registered Migration Agent (RMA) or Immigration Lawyer for an update.
This article is updated regularly. Last updated: Wednesday, 15 July 2026
The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is an important visa pathway to permanent residency for many people in Australia, especially those over 45 and under 55 years old.
There are skill shortages across various industries such as health, agriculture, and hospitality. The South Australian DAMA provides a wider range of occupations, and concessions on age, salary, English, and work experience for visa applicants.
The South Australia DAMA is a labour agreement between the Australian Government and businesses in South Australia.
It is designed to address local skill shortages by allowing employers in South Australia to sponsor overseas workers under more flexible conditions than standard employer-sponsored visas.
South Australia has two DAMAs, covering different regions and industries:
Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement DAMA – focuses on tech, creative industries, and advanced manufacturing
South Australian Regional Workforce DAMA – covers industries such as healthcare, agribusiness, tourism, construction, and hospitality
Some common occupations that apply for DAMA in South Australia include:
Child care workers
Aged or disability Carers
Horticulture workers
Chefs and Cooks
Hospitality Workers
A range of ICT occupations
Production operators
Truck Drivers
Nurses over 45 years old
What Are the Visa Options Under the South Australia DAMA?
There are three different employer-sponsored visas available under DAMA:
482 Skills in Demand Visa – a temporary visa that can lead to permanent residency after two years if the employer nominates the visa holder for a Subclass 186 visa (Temporary Residence Transition Stream)
These visas help employers fill critical skill shortages while providing a pathway to permanent residency for skilled migrants.
What Are the DAMA Concessions?
Age Concession up to 55 – Some occupations have no age concession, or the concession may be only under 50
Salary Concession – some DAMAs allow for up to 10% reduction in the minimum salary requirement. For example, while a standard employer-sponsored visa requires a minimum salary of AU$ 79,423, under DAMA, businesses can sponsor workers at AU$ 71,481 per year. This amount is updated based on the Salary Requirement for 482 and 186 Visas: New Income Thresholds 2026-2027.
English Concession – some DAMA occupations have lower English language requirements than standard employer-sponsored visas .
Work Experience Concession – the required work experience period is lower than in standard employer-sponsored visas. For example, a Subclass 494 visa usually requires at least three years of full-time experience, but under some DAMAs, applicants can qualify with just 12 months of experience
Industries Covered by the South Australia DAMA
The South Australia DAMA supports a wide range of occupations across key industries, including:
Healthcare and aged care
Agriculture and agribusiness
Construction and trades
Hospitality and tourism
Manufacturing and engineering
Technology and innovation
Each DAMA agreement includes a list of eligible occupations, and some roles may be eligible for age, English, and salary concessions.
We recently had DAMA visas granted for occupations such as sommelier, horticulture worker, aged and disabled carer and electronic engineering draftsperson.
Who is Eligible for the South Australia DAMA?
To apply under the South Australia DAMA, you must meet certain criteria, including:
An eligible occupation listed under the South Australia DAMA agreement
A job offer from a South Australian employer
Relevant skills and experience in your occupation
English language requirements (concessions may apply)
Receiving at least the minimum salary required (concessions may apply)
Unlike standard employer-sponsored visas, DAMA allows for more flexible eligibility, especially for older applicants, those with lower English proficiency, and those earning slightly below the standard TSMIT.
How to Apply for a South Australia DAMA Visa
The DAMA visa process involves several steps:
1. Find a South Australian Employer to Sponsor you – you must have a job offer from an approved employer in an eligible DAMA occupation
2. Employer Applies for DAMA Endorsement – your employer must get approval from the South Australian Government to sponsor workers under DAMA
3. Labour Agreement Application – the employer enters into a labour agreement with the Australian Government
4. Nomination & Visa Application – once the agreement is approved, the employer nominates you, and you can apply for the visa through the Department of Home Affairs
Why to apply for a South Australia DAMA?
The South Australia DAMA is an excellent opportunity for skilled and semi-skilled migrants who want to work and settle in regional South Australia.
With greater flexibility, employer sponsorship, and pathways to permanent residency, it is an attractive option for those who may not qualify under standard visa programs.
Regional areas usually also offer benefits such as lower cost of living and good job opportunities for some industries.
If you are looking to apply for a DAMA in South Australia or across Australia, please book an appointment to discuss your situation.
DAMA in other states
There are 13 DAMAS in Australia including:
- All of Western Australia
- All of Northen Territory
- All of South Australia
- Much of New South Wales through the ORANA DAMA
- Some of Victoria
- Some of Queensland
- Tasmania and the ACT do not have DAMA
South Australia DAMA for Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111)
One of the most common occupations Work Visa Lawyers assists with under the South Australia Designated Area Migration Agreement (SA DAMA) is Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111).
Due to ongoing workforce shortages in the aged care and disability support sectors, this occupation is included on the South Australia DAMA occupation list, allowing eligible regional employers to sponsor suitably qualified overseas workers.
For many carers, the SA DAMA can provide opportunities that may not be available through the standard skilled migration program. Depending on the occupation and individual circumstances, eligible applicants may benefit from concessions relating to age, English language, salary or work experience, while also accessing a potential pathway to permanent residency.
If you are working as an Aged or Disabled Carer, Disability Support Worker or Personal Care Worker, the South Australia DAMA may provide an employer-sponsored pathway to live and work in regional South Australia.
Work Visa Lawyers has extensive experience assisting employers in the aged care and disability sector. One example is Resicare, a South Australian disability service provider that successfully used the SA DAMA to sponsor overseas Disability Carers (ANZSCO 423111) to help address ongoing workforce shortages. Read our success story: Disability Carer 423111: How Resicare Uses SA DAMA to Fill Skills Shortages.
At Work Visa Lawyers, we regularly assist both employers and overseas workers with SA DAMA applications for Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111), from assessing eligibility and employer endorsement through to visa applications and permanent residency pathways.
How can we assist you?
If you are a business, we can help you register your business under a labour agreement and assist with visa applications for your employees. If you are an individual, we can assist with your visa application.
Please book an appointment to discuss your situation in more detail.
Our experienced team regularly advises employers and overseas workers on South Australia DAMA applications for Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111) and other employer-sponsored visa pathways.
Whether you are an employer looking to sponsor an overseas care worker or an overseas applicant seeking a pathway to work and live in regional South Australia, our team can provide tailored advice on your eligibility and the SA DAMA process.
How to find an employer to sponsor you?
We don’t assist applicants in finding an sponsor, however, we have a blog and a YouTube video with tips on how to find a business to sponsor you in Australia.
