A Guide to the South Australia DAMA Agreements (2025)

The South Australia Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) are crucial initiatives created to address skills shortages across the state. Following recent updates in June 2025, which saw an expansion and extension of these area migration agreements, the South Australian government has strengthened its commitment to employer-sponsored migration. This DAMA program provides a vital pathway for businesses to recruit skilled workers from overseas, filling critical gaps in the local labour market based on current labour market conditions.

You might be wondering what these agreements are. Put simply, a designated area migration agreement is a formal agreement between the Australian Government, as represented by the Department of Home Affairs, and a specific regional authority. Their purpose is to allow local employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers and semi skilled overseas workers for positions they cannot fill with local talent. The DAMA labour agreement offers a more flexible approach compared to standard skilled visa programs, addressing the specific economic needs of South Australia.

At Australian Migration Lawyers, we regularly assist all types of businesses meet their skilled migration needs. For further information or tailored advice, contact us.

The Two Key South Australian DAMAs

South Australia currently has two DAMAs in place, each designed to target different sectors and geographical areas.

Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement This DAMA labour agreement focuses on the high-tech growth industries within metropolitan Adelaide, covering metropolitan Adelaide and its burgeoning tech scene. It includes key sectors such as defence, space, and advanced manufacturing industries, along with information and communication technology and professional services. The primary goal of the Adelaide City DAMA is to attract highly skilled professionals to fill specialised roles and drive innovation advancement.

South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement Also known as the SA Regional DAMA, this designated area migration agreement covers the entire state of South Australia. It targets a broader range of high-growth regional industries, including agribusiness, tourism and hospitality, health and social services, construction, and the renewable energy sectors. It is designed to bolster the workforce capabilities across these areas, which are vital for the state's regional development and supports a pathway for people to move to south australia.

Connecting DAMA with Business Migration

It is important to understand how these agreements support wider migration goals. The DAMA program is a significant component of Australia’s business migration strategy. By enabling employers to fill critical vacancies, it fosters a stable economic environment conducive to growth and investment. For entrepreneurs and companies looking at business migration, the availability of such a labour agreement can be a key factor, ensuring they can build a skilled team. This pathway is a practical tool for skilled business migration, allowing new and existing enterprises to thrive.

What are the Benefits and Concessions?

To make the process more accessible for both employers and visa holders, the South Australian DAMA framework includes several important concessions.

Expanded Occupation Lists and Nomination Ceilings

Both area migration agreements feature significantly expanded occupation lists. The SA Regional DAMA, for instance, has added 128 new occupations to better reflect the state's economy. Furthermore, the program now has a higher annual nomination ceiling, allowing more South Australian businesses to sponsor overseas workers.

A Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency

A major incentive for skilled migrants is that all visa holders under a DAMA labour agreement are provided with a clear pathway to permanent residency. This helps attract and retain talented individuals who can contribute to the community long-term.

Flexible Requirements for Applicants

The DAMAs also provide conditions that have more flexible requirements than many other visa pathways.

• Age Concession: A notable benefit is the age concession, which sets the upper age limit for most applicants at 55 years.
• Income Threshold: There is a 10% concession on the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), also known as the migration income threshold. This means employers can offer salaries that are slightly lower than the standard requirement for certain occupations.
• English Language and Work Experience Concessions: For some roles, work experience concessions and slightly lower English language requirements are available, making it easier for skilled workers to qualify.

Eligibility Criteria for South Australian Employers

To sponsor overseas workers through a DAMA labour agreement, South Australian employers must meet specific criteria. The business must be financially viable and have a history of compliance with its obligations to employees.

Employers must be actively operating in South Australia for at least 12 months and demonstrate that they are lawfully operating. They also need to show a genuine need for full time positions and cannot position locally with Australian workers, such as Australian citizens or permanent residents. It is important to note that businesses with any adverse history or adverse information related to migration regulations may face challenges. Labour hire companies are generally excluded from this specific designated area migration agreement.

The Application Process for a DAMA Labour Agreement

For South Australian employers looking to engage in the program, the application involves a structured, end to end process. The process, as the following outlines in principle, requires careful steps.

1. Endorsement from the Designated Area Representative (DAR): The first step is to obtain a Letter of Endorsement from the Designated Area Representative (DAR). This involves submitting an application detailing the business’s circumstances and the requested occupations.
2. Apply for a Labour Agreement: Once endorsed, the employer applies to the Department of Home Affairs by lodging a DAMA labour agreement request. This five-year overarching five year deed allows the business to sponsor a set number of overseas workers. Once a decision is made, the Department notifies the employer.
3. Nomination and Visa Application: With an approved labour agreement, employers can proceed with lodging a nomination application for a specific employee, and the employee can then submit their visa application. The Department of Home Affairs then assesses both applications, taking into account any charges applicable.

The Designated Area Migration Agreement program represents a vital tool for addressing labour shortages and driving economic growth. By offering flexible pathways for skilled business migration, expanded occupation lists, and supportive concessions, the programs are carefully tailored to meet the needs of South Australian businesses.

For employers and potential migrants alike, the SA Regional DAMA and Adelaide City DAMA offer a structured pathway to not only fill immediate workforce gaps but also to contribute to the long-term prosperity of South Australia. The process requires careful preparation and evidence gathering. Navigating the DAMA labour agreement process can be complex, and expert guidance can maximise your prospects of success. If you are an employer seeking to employ overseas workers or a skilled individual looking for sponsorship opportunities, Australian Migration Lawyers can provide tailored assistance. Contact us today to explore how we can help you achieve your migration goals.