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. 

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What is the South Australia DAMA? 

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) 
•        494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa – a provisional visa leading to permanent residency after three years by applying for the 191 visa. 
•      186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Labour Agreement) visa – a permanent visa that employers can nominate 482 visa holders for, after they have worked in the occupation for 3 years

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 $73,150, under DAMA, businesses can sponsor workers at $65,835 per year.  These amounts will change every year as the TSMIT and Core Skills Threshold go up.
•        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

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.

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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.

In this March immigration news blog, we will cover all the latest Australian immigration updates, including:

• A preview of immigration policies in the lead-up to the federal election

• An increase in the income threshold for the 482 visa, 186 visa and 494 visa

• Details on South Australia’s 190 visa and 491 visa

Recent Visa Grants

To start, we are sharing some of the visas that we have recently obtained for our clients:

• Partner Visa 100

• Global Talent Visa applied for last year

• 186 visa transition pathway

• 482 Short-Term Stream visa applied for offshore

• 494 DAMA visa for aged or disability care

• Citizenship approval

• Student visa

• 190 visa grant for a Marketing Specialist applied for in 2023

• 190 visa grant for a Software Tester applied for in 2023

• Visitor visa subclass 600

If you are looking to apply for an Australian visa, please contact us by booking an appointment. We can assist with your visa application.

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Australian Federal Election and Immigration – Policy Preview for Major Parties and Independents

If the current Labor government wins, it is expected to continue with the following policies:

• Maintain migration allocation levels similar to 2025, which is 185,000 visas for that year.
• Continue with migration strategy reforms, which were announced in December 2023. This may include a review of the points-based system for GSM visas, including the 189, 190, and 491 visas.
• Following consultation in 2024, release plans for regional visas. 
• No business or investor visas are planned to be available.

Recently, in Direction 114, the current government assigned the lowest processing priority to the Significant Investor Visa (SIV).

This demonstrates that the government is not interested in investor visas or even prioritizing the processing of SIV applications. This will be disappointing for those with applications still in the processing backlog.

If the Liberal Party and a potential coalition government win:

• Liberal leader Peter Dutton has previously stated that he would cut the migration allocation to approximately 140,000 per year.
• In contrast to Labor’s stance, Peter Dutton has expressed support for reintroducing the Significant Investor Visa (SIV).

This contrasts with the Albanese government, which abolished the Significant Investor Visa, closing it from 1 July 2024.

If the Greens win:

The Greens, Australia’s third-largest party, have immigration policies that are more positive towards migrants.

• The Greens place a greater emphasis on humanitarian and refugee visas, with less focus on skilled migration.

Independents:

Some independents hold anti-immigration views.

Then there are the Teals, who are often independent candidates that have won former conservative seats.

The Teals have a range of perspectives on migration, but may be more supportive of skilled migration.

If the election is close, major parties may need to collaborate with smaller parties or independents to form a government.

There could be a wide range of outcomes in relation to migration policies following the election.

With GSM Visas Slowing Down, Employer-Sponsored Visas Are on the Rise

• No new invitations for the 189 visa this month
• Northern Territory is closed for new 190 and 491 visas
• New South Wales Pathway 1 for 491 is closed
• Other states continue to issue invitations
• More employer-sponsored visas are being granted, including 482 visa, 186 visa, and 494 visa
• Labour Agreement visas, including DAMAs, continue to increase

482 Visa Self-Sponsorship

We frequently receive questions about self-sponsorship, which can be challenging and often leads to refusals.

However, in some cases, where the need for a genuine position can be demonstrated, applications can be successful.

We have posted a full video on our YouTube channel explaining both successful and unsuccessful cases. 

Income Thresholds Increasing Again

From 1 July 2025, the income threshold for the Core Skills Stream of the 482 visa will increase from $73,150 to $76,515 per year. 

The income threshold is also the minimum salary for the 186 visa and the 494 visa. 

At a practical level, many employers and applicants may aim to lodge their nomination before this increase takes effect.

With this rise, some occupations with lower salaries, such as childcare workers, chefs, and cooks, may find it harder to secure employer sponsorship.

Specialist Skills Threshold

The Specialist Skills Income Threshold will increase from $135,000 to $141,210 in the next financial year.

This is the minimum salary requirement for a 482 Skills in Demand Specialist Skills Stream.

New 482 Visa Processing Times

When the Skills in Demand 482 Visa was introduced, processing times were promised to be just 7 days.

However, that has not lasted. The Department of Home Affairs has now updated processing times:

• 50% of applications are processed in 30 days

• 90% of applications are processed in 47 days

Please remember that processing times refer to the time taken to reach a decision—not necessarily a positive one. Many businesses and applicants choose to work with migration professionals to maximize their chances.

With the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), there are now 456 occupations available for the 482 visa.

One of the most common questions we receive is: How do I find a sponsor?

We have created a video and website page explaining the best ways to find a sponsor. 

Pacific Engagement Visa Updates

The Pacific Engagement Visa aims to bring 3,000 workers per year from Pacific nations and Timor-Leste to Australia. However, it is currently facing major delays, leaving many hopeful applicants disappointed.

• The program was launched last year and operates through a ballot (lottery) system for permanent residency.

• Over 56,000 people applied, but less than 5% of available visas have been allocated after five months.

• Many applicants who invested time and money are now frustrated with the lack of updates from the government.

• Another major challenge is securing a job offer, as it is difficult to do so without already having a visa.

South Australia 190 and 491 Visa Updates

South Australia has provided an update on its state nomination program for the 190 visa and 491 visa.

Key updates:

• Over 50,000 registrations of interest have been received for just 3,800 available places in the 2024-2025 financial year. 
• This year’s program is more competitive than last year when SA received 12,000 registrations of interest. 
• Half of the allocation has already been filled. 
• Most invitations have been issued to onshore applicants. 
• Registrations are still being accepted, and invitations will be issued until June 2025. 
• English language skills and work experience are key selection criteria.
• High priority occupations include construction, teaching, health, defence, space, and cybersecurity. 
• There is a high demand for applications from medical diagnostic radiographers, sonographers, podiatrists, floor finishers, glaziers, electricians, roof tilers, plumbers, ambulance officers, and cabinetmakers. If your occupation is one of those just mentioned, you may have a better chance to be invited.

If you have submitted an Expression of Interest but have not received an invitation, you may still have a chance—especially if you are in a high-priority sector, as half of the allocation is still available.

However, due to high competition, you may want to consider other visa pathways, such as employer sponsorship or a partner visa if you have an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen partner.

Contact us: 

We are one of the largest Australian immigration law firms, assisting thousands of individuals and businesses since 2011. You can book an appointment by clicking the button below.

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Sources: 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-08/dutton-walks-back-promise-to-cut-net-migration/104699216

https://greens.org.au/policies/immigration-and-refugees

https://www.9news.com.au/national/liberals-consider-reviving-pay-to-stay-visa-program/055bf247-e152-4dbb-b98a-56619ab754bc

https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/parliament-and-its-people/people-in-parliament/independents

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/average-weekly-earnings-australia/latest-release

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-03/pacific-engagement-visa-applications-delays/104947294

In this blog, we’ll cover the latest updates in Australia’s migration policies, including key information on the new Skills in Demand Visa, the Core Skills Occupation List, the National Innovation Visa and important health and family violence provisions.

We’ll also discuss the fast-tracking of registration for doctors, fee increases by VETASSESS, the November 189 invitation round, and the Occupation Shortage List released by Jobs and Skills Australia.

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Skills in Demand Visa Updates

The Skills in Demand Visa was announced as a major reform, but now it turns out the Skills in Demand Visa is essentially just the same as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 Visa.

The Skills in Demand Visa (SID Visa) will retain the same subclass as the 482 Visa, meaning it will still be the Skills in Demand Visa subclass 482.

It will be a temporary skilled worker visa valid for up to 4 years with a clear pathway to permanent residence.

The Skills in Demand Visa will have three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreements.

• Specialist Skills Stream: For highly skilled migrants earning at least $135,000 in any occupation except trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and laborers.

• Core Skills Stream: For skilled employees, with a new Core Skills Occupation List and a Core Skills Income Threshold. We are still waiting for the government to release the Core Skills Occupation List. Any significant change will be if your occupation is not on the new Core Skills list—then you may miss out.

• Labour Agreement Stream: The TSS Labour Agreement Stream will be renamed the Skills in Demand Labour Agreement Stream.

And where is the Essential Skills Pathway? It seems it will be the Labour Agreement stream.

For the new Skills in Demand Visa, the work experience requirement will be reduced to one year, as the department had previously announced for the 482 visa from November 23, 2024.

As the 482 TSS Visa will be replaced by the 482 SID Visa, the existing short-term and medium-term streams of the TSS Visa will close to new applications.

National Innovation Visa

The National Innovation Visa will replace the Global Talent Visa but remain a Subclass 858 visa.

This visa will provide opportunities for exceptional talent with diverse backgrounds, including:

• Global researchers and thought leaders (e.g., published in leading journals, high levels of publications and citations, recipients of top-field awards)

• Entrepreneurs, both established and emerging, with lessons from successful State and Territory-led initiatives

• Innovative investors with a focus on the quality of investment, not just simple thresholds

• Athletes and creatives, particularly those representing Australia internationally

Applications will be by invitation only, and the Expression of Interest (EOI) process will closely reflect that of other invitation-only visas.

New Family Violence Provisions

A big change started on October 15, 2024. The Migration Amendment Family Violence Provisions for Skilled Visa Applications allow secondary applicants in seven permanent Skilled visa subclasses to access family violence provisions. These subclasses include the 186 visa, 187 visa, 189 visa, 190 visa, 191 visa, Global Talent, and 887 visa.

This means that secondary applicants can be granted visas even if their relationship with the primary applicant has ended, provided they or a dependent child have experienced family violence from the primary applicant.

Important Changes to Australia’s Migration Health System

Children born and living in Australia are now exempt from health-related criteria that could have previously made them ineligible for a visa.

What has changed?

The Public Interest Criteria 4005 and 4007 have been updated to exempt child visa applicants born and residing in Australia from specific health-related requirements that may have previously disqualified them for a visa due to potential healthcare or community service costs to Australia.

This change affects visa applications submitted before or after October 16, 2024, including those under merits review.

189 Invitation Round – November 2024

Another 189 invitation round took place in the first week of November 2024. This is the third round in 2024. The first 189 Invitation Round was in June, the second 189 Invitation Round in September, and now the third 189 Invitation Round in November.

A range of occupations were invited, mainly with 70 to 85 points for teachers, health, and construction occupations, and 90 to 100 points for other occupations.

Some occupations invited included:

• Engineers with a minimum of 75 points

• Architects with a minimum of 70 points

• Social workers with 75 points

• Internal and external auditors with 90 points

• Accountants with a minimum of 95 points

As soon as the Department of Home Affairs releases the full list of invitations, we will make a blog and post more details about it.

VETASSESS Fee Increase and Pause in Priority Processing

Starting November 20, VETASSESS will increase the fees for professional and general occupations for a full skills assessment from $1033 to $1070. The Graduate Visa assessment fee will increase from $392 to $406.

VETASSESS will also pause accepting applications for its Priority Processing on December 1, 2024.

This pause will give VETASSESS time to process and complete applications before the Christmas shutdown on December 20, 2024. The VETASSESS head office will reopen on January 6, 2025.

190 and 491 Updates

New South Wales is now accepting applications for the 491 Visa Pathway 1 and Pathway 3.

• Pathway 1: For people working in regional NSW for the past six months with a single employer.

• Pathway 3: For graduates from regional NSW.

Given the limited allocation, we recommend submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) as soon as possible.

South Australia has been sending notifications to people that are not being invited for 190 visa or 491 visa state nominations.

This is often happening if your Visa is expiring soon. So South Australia is giving people the heads up of not being invited so they can consider other things are options before their Visa expires.

The applicants are receiving the following email: "NOT INVITED - Thank you for your Registration of Interest for South Australian State Nomination. Regrettably, your application has not been chosen for invitation at this time". 

They have been lots of hospitality occupations such as chef receiving not invited.

The other states are issuing their regular invitations based on the criteria specific to each state.

If you have received the "NOT INVITED" email from South Australia, or if you have not received an invitation from other states or territories, we recommend considering other visa options, such as employer-sponsored visas like the 186 visa, 482 visa, or 494 visa, or partner visas if you have a genuine relationship with an Australian.

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Occupation Shortage List – Jobs and Skills Australia

Jobs and Skills Australia has released the Occupation Shortage List to help you check if your occupation is in shortage in each state or territory.

For example, the occupation of chef is on the shortage list in all states and territories, while cooks are only on the shortage list in some, such as New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and Northern Territory, but not in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, or ACT.

This list is a data tool to check occupation shortages and is not directly related to immigration or your ability to apply for a 189 visa, 190 visa, 491 visa, or any employer-sponsored visas.

However, it could influence which occupations will or will not be included on the Core Skills List, which is expected to be released at the end of the year when the government launches the new Skills in Demand Visa.

Fast Tracking for Trades in the Building Sector

Business Council of Australia Calls for Fast-Tracking of Trades in the Building Sector The Business Council of Australia is advocating for new measures aimed at local and state governments to expedite home approvals and increase supply.

This push highlights the growing emphasis on the building trades, which are currently receiving priority in the 189 visa rounds. 

In the latest invitation rounds, many trades in the building sector were invited with a minimum score of 65 points, indicating a strong focus on these professions.

Fast Track for Doctors’ Registration

Fast track for doctors’ registration Doctors from the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand now have their ability to practice in Australia fast-tracked. 

The new changes will allow international medical specialists to apply directly to the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration, rather than going through an individual assessment by a specialist college like the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). 

This significant change will eliminate unnecessary regulatory barriers and enable international specialists from similar healthcare systems to work in Australia sooner.

IELTS Updates

Registered Migration Agents now have access to the IELTS Results service that enables them to verify applicants' IELTS test scores to ensure the results are authentic and reliable before submitting them to the Department of Home Affairs.

US Election and Canada Immigration Cuts

How will the US Election win affect Australian immigration?

I’ll discuss four possible effects of the US election result on Australian migration:

1. Themes could be adopted from the US election following Trump’s victory, possibly leading to more negative sentiments about migration.

2. Migration policy changes could occur, leading to lower migration targets.

3. The Australian economy and migration could be affected by US policies, especially regarding tariffs on China, Australia's largest trading partner.

4. Some people in the US may look to move to Australia, as we’ve already received inquiries.

Canada’s Immigration Cuts

Canada has announced a 21% reduction in immigration for 2025 to pause population growth.

Could something similar happen in Australia?

Based on the US election, the short answer is yes, there will likely be cuts.

These were the main updates that took place in Australian immigration in November 2024. More updates are expected later this year, such as the opening of the new Skills in Demand Visa and the new National Innovation Visa.

If you need any assistance applying for an Australian visa, please contact us.

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Souces: 

https://www.vetassess.com.au/news/change-in-assessment-fees-for-professional-and-general-occupations

https://www.vetassess.com.au/news/summer-office-hours-and-pause-in-priority-processing

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/domestic-family-violence-and-your-visa/family-violence-provisions

https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01288/asmade/text

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/

https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-shortages-analysis/occupation-shortage-list

The Department of Home Affairs has released the list of professions from the latest 189 Skilled Independent Visa invitation round that took place on June 13th, 2024. This round saw a total of 5,292 invitations issued across more than 130 different occupations, with a significant focus on construction, healthcare, and engineering fields.

Interestingly, there were no invitations for the 491 Family Sponsored visas this round.

What is the 189 Skilled Independent Visa?

The 189 Visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member. This visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident. Key benefits include:

• Permanent residency status
• No need for state or family sponsorship
• Freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia

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Building Trades Occupations

With the ongoing housing shortage and the urgent need to build more housing, building trades have become the most sought-after professions in Australian migration.

Occupations such as carpenter, cabinetmaker, bricklayer, plumber, joiner, electrician, drainer, and glazier received invitations with 65 points or more.

Engineering Occupations

Civil engineer, mining engineer, telecommunication engineer, industrial engineer, transport engineer, and electrical engineer were invited, some requiring at least 85 points.

Healthcare Professionals

Registered nurses were invited with a minimum of 85 points.

Other Notable Occupations and Minimum Points

• Chef: 95 points
• Accountant: 100 points
• Architect: 85 points
• Child Care Centre Manager: 85 points
• ICT Occupations: 100 points
• Internal and External Auditors: 95 points
• Motor Mechanic: 95 points
• Social Worker: 85 points

Surprising Invitations

These occupations are surprising because they are not often considered the most “in-demand” skills.

• Dancer or choreographer
• Solicitor
• Valuer

189 Occupations and Minimum Points

In general, most occupations required at least 80 points to receive an invitation.

Click here to see all the occupations invited.

How to apply for the 189 Skilled Independent Visa?

1. Your occupation must be on the Medium-Term occupation list
2. Obtain positive skills assessment and required English test results
3. You must meet minimum 65 points to be able to lodge an expression of interest (EOI)
4. Submit an EOI through SkillSelect
5. If invited, submit visa application within 60 days of receiving an Invitation to Apply and include all supporting documents for the application

If your occupation is not receiving invitations, consider exploring employer-sponsored options such as the 482 visa or 494 visa.

Do you need help with your visa application?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents is ready to assist you with your visa application.

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, we provide Australian immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

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