South Australia expands regional work visa program, adds over 1,200 visa slots

South Australia now offers an extra 1,250 visa opportunities under the Regional Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). This is expected to alleviate staff shortages in the regional areas of the state in critical sectors such as IT, construction, health, and education.

The Australian government has expanded an existing South Australia's regional migration program allowing regional employers to hire workers. Source: Moment RF / Mayur Kakade/Getty Images

Key Points

• South Australia's Regional Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) now includes 128 additional occupations.
• The visa cap for the SA Regional DAMA has been increased from 750 to 2,000 places annually, effective 4 April 2024.
• Registered migration agent Vaibhav Patel said this latest reform opens up a new opportunity for offshore applicants seeking residency.

Prime Minister Anthony Alabanese-led Labor government said it was making it easier for regional South Australian businesses to hire offshore workers and bridge skills gaps.

The federal government has agreed to increase the visa cap under the South Australian Regional Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) from 750 to 2,000 places annually.

The new increase is effective from 4 April 2024 until 30 June 2025.

Regional businesses in South Australia are allowed to hire workers from offshore or find onshore temporary visa holders to fill positions through an agreement between the federal and state governments. Source: SBS

A South Australian Department for Industry, Innovation, and Science spokesperson told SBS Hindi that the department included 128 new occupations to the combined list of eligible skilled occupations (Skilled Occupation List).

"The SA Regional DAMA now covers 319 total occupations and can support a wide variety of South Australian businesses across numerous sectors that wish to access overseas skilled workers," the spokesperson added.

The additional occupations are in the emerging high-tech and digital areas, construction, health and aged care, ICT (including cyber-related fields), and renewable energy.

SA DAMA has added 128 occupations to its list. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The spokesperson said regional businesses outside Adelaide would have the flexibility to recruit applicants from offshore or find temporary visa holders onshore to fill positions endorsed under the South Australian DAMA.

Registered migration agent Vaibhav Patel stated that this latest reform opens new opportunities for offshore applicants seeking residency.

"It presents a favourable chance to employers located in regional parts of the state to recruit skilled labour in specific sectors identified as critical," Patel said.

"Individuals applying from overseas can directly contact employers in these regions, highlighting the pathway provided by the SA DAMA in their cover letter," he explained.

"Professions such as childcare workers, tour guides, and hospitality workers, which are not included in the General Skilled Occupation List, are now covered by the SA Regional DAMA," Patel added.

South Australia has been facing labour shortages in several sectors including construction, health, education and hospitality industries. Source: iStockphoto

In the fiscal year 2022-23, South Australia endorsed 780 employer-sponsored positions, including DAMA.

Under the DAMA, employers are permitted to hire workers who aren't locally available, and the program features more lenient eligibility requirements.

The federal government announced a reduction in red tape for employers by increasing the number of jobs offered under the agreement and streamlining several requirements for employers.

“The South Australian migration agreement is beneficial for businesses, Australian workers, and regional communities that rely on essential services often provided by new migrants,” Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles, said.

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