Local Businesses

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. 

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. 

Age concessions may be applicable for Overseas Workers at the time of the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) or ENS visa nomination. 

Age concessions are outlined against each occupation on the DAMA Occupation List.

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.

ANZSCO skill level 1, 2, 3 and 4 occupations on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations (Skilled occupation list)

Must meet the following skills, qualifications, experience and employment background requirements.

• Meet the skill level as defined in the DAMA occupation list
• Skill Level 1 and some Skill Level 2 occupations must have at least 2 years of work experience if applying for a TSS or SESR visa or 3 years of work experience if applying for an ENS visa, undertaken in the last 5 years.
• Skill Level 2, 3 and 4 occupations must have at least 1 year of work experience if applying for a TSS or SESR visa or 3 years of work experience if applying for an ENS visa, undertaken in the last 3 years for TSS/SESR or 5 years if applying for an ENS visa.  
• Work experience:
  • must be in the nominated occupation, or a related occupation at the same skill level
  • can be full-time or part-time pro-rata
  • can be while studying through a formal arrangement such as internships, industry and clinical placements, apprenticeships and traineeships, and work experience required through the Job Ready Program.
• Where specified in the DAMA occupation list, work experience can be served concurrently with any work experience used to substitute for formal qualifications as per ANZSCO requirements, provided that work experience was at the same skill level.
• In cases where work experience is used to substitute for formal qualifications:
  • Skill Level 1 occupations, which require 5 years of experience to substitute for a formal qualification, work experience must be undertaken within the last 8 years.
  • Skill Level 2 and 3 occupations, which require 3 years of experience to substitute for a formal qualification, work experience must be undertaken within the last 5 years.
  • Skill Level 4 occupations, which require 2 years of experience to substitute for a formal qualification, work experience must be undertaken within the last 3 years.

Other occupations not on the Skilled occupation list

• Meet the skills requirements as defined in the DAMA occupation list for that occupation and the occupation factsheets
• Have at least 1 year of work experience if applying for a TSS or SESR visa or 3 years of work experience if applying for an ENS visa
• Work experience (as per the standard TSS requirements):
  • must be in the nominated occupation, or a related occupation at the same skill level,
  • must be undertaken in the last 3 years (TSS/SESR) or 5 years (ENS visa),
  • must be at least 20 hours per week
  • can be while studying through a formal arrangement such as internships, industry and clinical placements, apprenticeships and traineeships, and work experience required through the Job Ready Program,
  • can be served concurrently with any work experience used to substitute for formal qualifications as per ANZSCO requirements, provided that work experience was at the same skill level. In cases where work experience is used to substitute for formal qualifications:
    • Skill Level 1 occupations, which require 5 years of experience to substitute for a formal qualification, work experience must be undertaken within the last 8 years
    • Skill Level 2 and 3 occupations, which require 3 years of experience to substitute for a formal qualification, work experience must be undertaken within the last 5 years.
    • Skill Level 4 occupations, which require 2 years of experience to substitute for a formal qualification, work experience must be undertaken within the last 3 years.

Please refer to the DAMA occupation list for information regarding the skills assessment requirement for your occupation. For most occupations, you will need to refer to the Department of Home Affairs’ skills assessment requirement for the TSS 482 visa.

The DAR (Government of South Australia) will be undertaking the skills assessment for specific occupations listed as “skills verification required from South Australia”. If this applies to your occupation, you can submit an online enquiry requesting further information on the skills assessment process.