The following information provides employers an understanding of the concessions available under the DAMA as well as skills, qualifications, experience and employment background requirements as part of the nomination/visa application process.

DAMA Concessions 

Concessions vary from DAMA agreement and by occupation and can include: 
  • Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
  • English language 
  • Permanent Residence Pathway and Age

Eligible occupations (see DAMA occupation list) are able to access a concession to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).  When this concession applies, the employer must provide the Overseas Worker with an amount of Annual Earnings which is equal to or greater than the Annual Market Salary Rate (see Migration Regulations) and Reduced TSMIT. 

‘Reduced TSMIT’ mean 90% of TSMIT. 

If an occupation is not eligible for a TSMIT concession, the nominating employer must meet the requirements relating to TSMIT, Annual Market Salary Rate and Annual Earnings which would apply if the Overseas Worker were nominated for the that visa (TSS, SESR or ENS visa).

TSMIT concession types 

Employers may seek endorsement from the Designated Area Representative (DAR) for one of the following concession types to apply to a concessional occupation. 

  Type 1 Type 2 Type 3

Monetary Earnings

At least Reduced TSMIT 

At least Reduced TSMIT less non- monetary earnings (other) 

At least Reduced TSMIT less non- monetary earnings (food & board) 

Non-monetary earnings (food & board)

Nil 

Nil 

Cannot exceed published SA homestay rates 

Non-monetary earnings (other)

Nil 

No more than 10% of Reduced TSMIT 

Nil 

Total Annual Earnings

Atleast Reduced TSMIT

Atleast Reduced TSMIT

Atleast Reduced TSMIT

Eligible occupations (see DAMA occupation list) are able to access the following concessions to the English requirements.

TSS and SESR concession:

  • IELTS score of 5.0 overall (or equivalent), and minimum of IELTS score 4.0 (or equivalent) for individual bands, where specified in the DAMA occupation list
  • IELTS score 4.5 overall (or equivalent), and minimum of IELTS score 4.0 (or equivalent) for individual bands, where specified in the DAMA occupation list for occupations in outer regional South Australia.

ENS concession:

  • IELTS score 5.0 overall (or equivalent), and minimum of IELTS score 4.5 (or equivalent) for individual bands, where specified in the DAMA occupation list.

IELTS means the International English Language Testing System or the equivalent in another accepted English language test. 

Other accepted English language tests are: 

  • Occupational English Test (OET); 
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT); 
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic test; or 
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test. 

 

SA Regional Workforce Agreement & Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement

For Overseas Workers on a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa, a permanent residence pathway may be available through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa program. 

For Overseas Workers on a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) subclass 494 visa, a permanent residence pathway may be available through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 visa.

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa does not have an age limit but Overseas Workers applying for a permanent residence pathway in the future will need to meet age requirements at the time of the ENS visa nomination. 

See DAMA occupation list for further details.

Further information about the requirements in relation to an ENS visa nomination is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

 

The skills, qualifications and work experience requirements will vary according to whether the occupation is on the combined eligible list of skilled occupations (known as the Short-term Skilled Occupation List, Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or Regional Occupation List or only available under the DAMA.

See DAMA occupation list for further details.

Please refer to the DAMA occupation list for information regarding the skills assessment requirement for your occupation.

The DAR (Government of South Australia) will be undertaking the skills assessment for specific occupations listed as “DAR skills assessment by South Australia”.