State Sponsorship - South Australia-FAQ

Updated on 11 Feb 2021

General

Do I need to select ‘South Australia (SA)’ on SkillSelect or can I select ‘any state’ for nomination if I want to be nominated by South Australia?

You must select South Australia (SA) on SkillSelect if you want to be nominated by South Australia.

How do I become a citizen of Australia?

Permanent or residence visa holders may be eligible to become citizens, for more information, please visit the Department of Home Affairs citizenship information website.

How can I find out about visa processing status for the applicant?

Skilled & Business Migration and the Regional Certifying Body (RCB) has no role in the grant of visas.

The Department of Home Affairs will only communicate about nominations and visa applications with the applicant or their migration agent or other authorised recipient.

To find out about visa processing visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Where can I get assistance/migration advice?

If you need help to establish the most suitable visa scheme for your situation we recommend consulting a registered migration agent.

Lists of registered agents are available from the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) websites.

Skilled & Business Migration is unable to provide comprehensive migration advice.

What if I'm unhappy with the service I have received from a migration agent?

Migration agents are required to abide by a code of conduct. If you are unhappy with service you have received, you can contact the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).

I have only one name - how do I complete the first name and last name fields in the application form?

You may duplicate your first name and last name in the form. This is for the Skilled & Business Migration forms only. The Department of Home Affairs has different requirements for their systems.

Can l apply for both the 190 and 491 visas simultaneously?

Clients can only submit one application at one time, our system does not allow clients to submit two applications.

What are the concessions and waivers available for the 491 outer regional stream applicants?

There are no concessions to requirements, you will need to meet minimum requirements as published here:https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/outer-regional-skilled-employment

Are candidates with higher points given priority over those with lower EOl scores?

Please see the following page,  https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants/nomination-options/offshore

How long are Department of Home Affairs visa processing times?

Visa processing times are updated monthly and provide an indicative timeframe. It is recommended to check details regularly on the Department for Home Affairs website.

Please note: The South Australian Government is unable to influence processing times and decisions related to visa applications.

Skilled Migrants

What are the different levels of Government in Australia?

There are three levels of Government in Australia:-

1. Commonwealth Government (or Federal or Australian) – For example, Department of Home Affairs and Centrelink. Any queries about visa processing, visa conditions or future visa applications, need to be directed to Department of Home Affairs.

2. State Government – For example, Skilled & Business Migration and Department for Innovation and Skills (DIS). Skilled & Business Migration is the state government agency which nominates skilled migrants for skilled visas. You can contact Skilled & Business Migration with any queries about the state nomination application process, state nomination obligations or online registration/employment survey.

3. Local Government– Your local council in the area you live in. You can contact your local council with queries about local government services. Local government services include libraries, recycling and a range of other council services.

Can I appeal the decision for state nomination if it is refused?

If your application has been refused, you might have the right to have the decision to refuse your visa reviewed by Skilled & Business Migration. Reviews will only be conducted for administrative errors. Please refer to application terms and conditions. The application fee is non-refundable.

Skilled Migrants

Does state nomination guarantee a visa grant?

State nomination does not guarantee a visa grant and you must also meet all of Department of Home Affairs visa requirements.

Once you have been nominated and received your visa invitation from Department of Home Affairs, Skilled & Business Migration has no further involvement in the visa application process. All queries about the visa application process, need to be directed to Department of Home Affairs.

If my visa is refused by the Department of Home Affairs, can Skilled & Business Migration assist me?

The issuing and granting of all visas is the responsibility of the Department of Home Affairs. Skilled & Business Migration does not intervene in the visa decision making process.

Skilled & Business Migration will not, under any circumstances, appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal against a decision by Department of Home Affairs declining to grant a visa to any applicants nominated by Skilled & Business Migration.

What is a program year?

The South Australian program year generally relates to the financial year which is from 1 July to 30 June.

Will volunteer work experience be considered as meeting South Australian Skilled & Business Migration's skilled work experience requirement?

Volunteer work experience isn’t considered to be skilled work experience. It must be paid skilled work experience.

Can I appeal a refused General Skilled Migration state nomination decision on my application?

If you can demonstrate that an administrative error has been made, Skilled & Business Migration may review your application.

Inadequate documentation, not meeting state nomination requirements, unclear information, typing errors or inadvertent omission of information/document(s), are not reasons to review a decision to refuse. Please refer to the application terms and conditions.

To notify us of an administrative error, submit an online enquiry via the Skilled & Business Migration portal within 14 calendar days of the refusal notification. Include your name, GSM reference number and the reasons you believe an error has occurred.

I am a state nominated provisional subclass 489 /491 visa holder, can you tell me how to apply for permanent residency?

Visas are issued by the Department of Home Affairs. You must meet their requirements. Further information can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

I am working in South Australia, and I will turn 45 years of age before I can satisfy the minimum work experience requirement.

If you are working in South Australia and you will turn 45 years of age before you can satisfy the minimum work experience requirements, we may still apply for state nomination and send an online enquiry to request priority processing.

Please provide a statement outlining your situation for consideration during assessment. This does not guarantee nomination, each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

I hold an employer sponsored visa and work in South Australia. Can I apply?

Yes, you can, however, if you have more than 12 months remaining on your visa, you must provide a letter from your current employer consenting to state nomination application. If you are unable to provide a letter of support the application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How do I know if my work experience is Skill Level 1, 2 or 3?

To determine the skill level of your work experience, you may wish to refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations website.

Can I combine work experience from multiple employers to meet the hours of work experience requirement?

Yes. You can combine work experience from multiple employers to make up the hours required for your nominated occupation; however, all work experience must be paid and meet the skilled level for your occupation.

Here are my circumstances; am I eligible for State Nomination?

We cannot provide pre-assessment advice on your personal circumstances and eligibility for the program. Please refer to Nomination Options to learn about each of our nomination streams on offer, and apply online if you meet the requirements. 

What is the definition of a "related" occupation?

A ‘related’ occupation is generally defined as being in the same Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Sub Major Group, and at the same Skill Level, as your nominated occupation. That is, the ANZSCO code of the occupation you are working in begins with the same two digits as the ANZSCO code of your nominated occupation. You can find the ANZSCO code and Skill Level for your occupation, on the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ ANZSCO website.

Do I need to create a new Expression of interest (EOl) in SkillSelect For this program year?

No, you will not need to create a new EOI in SkillSelect. Please ensure your EOI is up to date and reflects your current situation.

I am living and working in South Australia, but my employer is interstate. Am I eligible to apply?

Your employer must have a physical presence in South Australia. Working for an interstate employer is not regarded as eligible work experience to meet the work experience requirements.

Does the salary threshold specified for South Australian State Nomination include superannuation contributions?

No. The salary threshold excludes mandatory employer superannuation contributions.

What is an EOl and what is an ROI?

An EOI is the ‘Expression of Interest’ you will submit to the Commonwealth Government Department of Home Affairs, through their “Skillselect” system, to indicate your interest in submitting a visa.   

All candidates for state nomination must have an active and current EOI to be invited through any of our nomination streams.   
You do not need to submit a new EOI every program year. 
EOIs remain active for 2 years.  Ensure your EOI has sufficient validity to allow for our assessment process. 
You must indicate that South Australia is your state of interest 
You should select both 491 and 190 visa subclasses as you may be invited for either. 
We cannot advise how the Department of Home Affairs Skillselect points should be claimed. 

An ROI is the ‘Registration of Interest’ you will submit to Skilled & Business Migration through our apply site to let us know you are interested in and eligible for state nomination. 

You can only submit one ROI at a time – select your preferred visa subclass (note you may be invited for a different subclass) 
You must be eligible for your stream prior to submitting a ROI 
Offshore candidates must not submit a ROI 

Why has South Australia implemented a Registration of Interest for all candidates residing in the State?

In common with other states and territories, South Australia will utilise a Registration of Interest process to invite candidates to apply for nomination in 2024–25. This process helps us to manage the limited nomination places available against the high demand from candidates, and to suitably prioritise candidates for nomination.

Can I change/update my Registration of Interest (ROl)?

Once submitted, the information in a Registration of Interest (ROI) application is unable to be amended.

Minor changes, such as an increase in points, do not need to be updated as we will see the updated information on your EOI.

If substantial information provided in your Registration of Interest (ROI) has changed, for example you have changed jobs, you may wish to withdraw your ROI application and submit a new application with up-to-date information. You can withdraw your application through your account at https://apply.migration.sa.gov.au/user/login.php.

Can I submit a Registration of Interest for South Australian nomination if I am residing in another Australia state or territory?

Applicants living in Australian states and territories other than South Australia are not eligible under the South Australian Graduate, Skilled Employment in South Australia, or the Outer Regional Skilled Employment categories.

Can I submit multiple Registrations of interest?

You may only have one Registration of Interest (ROI) submitted at any time. This supports the integrity of our invitation process, making sure we are inviting eligible candidates to apply for nomination. Candidates who have submitted numerous ROIs may be prevented from being invited to applying for nomination.

How will South Australia assess my Registration of Interest?

When we assess the information in your Registration of Interest (ROI) for South Australian nomination, we will also consider the information provided in your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI). It is important that your EOI is always accurate and up to date.

If I am invited to apply for South Australian nomination, how will South Australia assess my application?

If we invite you to apply for nomination, and you submit an application, we will assess that you meet the requirements for your nomination category, and verify that the information that you provided in your Registration of Interest for nomination is true and accurate. This assessment will be based on the documents you are required to provide to support your application, for more information see our Supporting Information page.

What visa subclass am I be eligible for?

We will prioritise applicants who demonstrate a strong employment outcome and support critical sectors for nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190).

My temporary visa is expiring soon. Can my ROl receive priority?

We are not able to provide priority processing for registrations of interest however we will endeavour to monitor applications with a pending visa expiry. 

Skilled and Business Migration cannot guarantee an outcome prior to the required date, and you are encouraged to explore other visa options.

As the allocation for nomination places is limited, South Australia will consider a range of factors when determining who is invited to apply.  Please note that submitting your registration of interest does not guarantee an invitation to apply for state nomination even if the published requirements are met.

What if there is a gap between my employment in a related occupation?

A gap of employment of no more than one month may be considered (for example due to changing jobs). Each application will be assessed independently, and a decision made on a case-by-case basis. Paid leave is part of your employment.

Can I work Pro rata hours over a longer period to meet requirements?

No. Pro rata hours are not acceptable to meet our requirements. We require you to work for 30 hours a week if applying through the South Australian Graduate, Outer Regional Skilled Employment, or Skilled Employment in South Australia categories.

Would you consider Casual Work Experience?

If it meets our definition of skilled and full-time employment, then yes. It doesn’t matter if the employment is causal.

What is the definition of full-time employment?

The definition of full-time work is 30 hours a week, or 60 hours per fortnight.

How long will it take to assess my Registration of Interest (ROl) application?

There are no processing times for ROI applications. We will send an invitation for state nomination should your ROI be successful. Please note we do not provide an update on an application or ROI status.

If I was nominated for a 497 by the South Australian Government previously, can I now apply for a 190?

Clients are eligible for one nomination from the South Australian Government. If you were nominated for a 491, you can apply for a 191 to the Department of Home Affairs once you meet criteria.

International Graduates

What if l don't have a copy of my transcript from the university or the Grade Point Average (GPA) isn't listed on my transcript?

You will need to upload a copy of your transcript to the Skilled & Business Migration online application form.

If you don’t have a copy of your transcript, please contact the International Student Centre at your university to arrange another copy. Each university has their own fees for issuing transcripts.

If your GPA isn’t listed on your transcript, please approach your university to get an official letter confirming your GPA. This letter can be uploaded in your online application, in addition to your academic transcript.

I'm an International graduate of South Australia. When can I apply for state nomination?

Once you’ve completed your studies and obtained your full General Skilled Migration skills assessment for your nominated occupation, you can apply for state nomination. You don’t have to wait for your official graduation ceremony. You can apply once you have received all of your final grades and have officially met the requirements for your qualification.

I'm an International graduate of South Australia. My occupation is not offered under the South Australian Graduates stream but is offered under other nomination streams. Can I apply under other streams?

Yes. You can apply under other streams, as long as you meet the requirements for the stream you are applying for.

1am a PhD student working for a university and receiving a scholarship or stipend. Can I claim it as part of my work experience to apply for State Nomination?

No. A scholarship or stipend will not be considered as eligible skilled work experience for State Nomination.

I was unable to complete 75% of my qualification due to COVID travel restrictions. Am I considered a South Australian Graduate?

Each application is subject to assessment on a case-by-case basis. You may wish to mention your situation in your registration of interest (ROI). You will need to meet all other eligibility requirements prior to submitting a ROI.

If l lodged a Registration of Interest (ROl) before 30 June 2024, do l need to lodge again this Program year?

Yes, you need to have a current ROI in the system.

Offshore

Do l need to keep my Expression of Interest up to date?

Yes. It is your responsibility to ensure that the information entered in your Expression of Interest (EOI) is up to date, accurate and the documents required to demonstrate your eligibility have not expired.

If you have submitted an EOI indicating your interest in South Australian nomination you must ensure that you, or your migration agent can access your EOI.  You must also ensure that your EOI has enough validity to be active throughout the course of the invitation process. Once invited, you must use the same EOI to apply for state nomination. If your EOI has expired, we will not accept another EOI. Your new EOI may however be invited in the future.

If you are invited to apply for nomination and find you have technical difficulties accessing your EOI or your documents have expired, we may advise you not to apply and/or refuse your application. 

Do I need to make sure the information in your Expression of Interest is accurate?

Yes. If you are invited to apply for nomination, you will be assessed against the information that was entered in your EOI at the time that we invited you to apply for nomination.  

If you are not able to demonstrate that you were eligible for nomination based on the information entered in your EOI at the time of invitation, your application will be refused.

What are my chances of receiving an invitation?

We are not able to indicate or answer questions on the likelihood that you will be invited to apply for nomination as the pool of candidates is dynamic and constantly changing.

How will South Australia invite me, if l am selected?

For the offshore stream, if you are selected to apply for nomination, we will send an invitation to the email address you have entered in your EOI. This means that if your migration agent’s email is entered in your EOI you will need to ensure that you and your migration agent communicate regarding any potential invitation.

If l am invited to apply for South Australian State Nomination, will this show in my ImmiAccount?

No. As outlined above, we send invitations to apply for nomination via email.  

This will not be reflected in your ImmiAccount which is managed by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.

How often will South Australia invite offshore candidates to apply for nomination?

Offshore invitation rounds are anticipated to occur monthly. Note that this will be guided by the progress of our program year.

What happens if I am not invited?

If you are not selected to apply for nomination, we will not contact you.  

Your EOI will continue to be considered for selection in future rounds, as long as you indicate South Australia as your State of Interest.

What happens if have submitted more than one Expression of Interest in SkillSelect?

Candidates who are found to be submitting numerous EOIs may not be selected for South Australian nomination.

If you have skills assessments for more than one occupation, it is recommended that your EOI reflect the occupation that aligns closer with your work experience and ensure you have sufficient work experience in that field to meet the requirements for state nomination.

If you wish to show interest for both subclass 491 and 190, you can select both on the same EOI.

Do l need to submit a Registration of interest to South Australia?

If you live outside Australia, you are not required to submit a Registration of Interest to be invited to apply for nomination. South Australia directly invites top ranking candidates who have submitted an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect to apply for nomination.

If I submitted my EOl in June and haven't received an invitation, should I create a new EOl for the new Program Year?

No, clients should only have one EOI, just ensure the information in your EOI is current.

How do l claim work Experience on my Skillselect EOl if my skills assessment has awarded less work experience?

Skilled & Business Migration) cannot advise how the Department of Home Affairs Skillselect points should be claimed. Please visit their website for information on claiming points.

When completing your State nomination registration of interest (ROI) you can list all your relevant work experience, regardless of the Skills assessment outcome.  For our system There are no points allocated on our system, we are interested in your working experience as a whole.

What happens if I receive an invitation?

If you are invited to apply for nomination, you will have 14 days to submit your application. You will need to review the occupation list to decide which visa subclass you can apply for. Detailed instructions on applying for nomination will be provided in your invitation email.

My skills assessment or English language test result has expired, and I have been invited to apply for South Australian nomination. Can you extend the invitation?

Your invitation will expire 14 days after you received an invitation email from us. Invitations are issued throughout the year. We encourage you to have your supporting documents ready, so that you are ready to submit a state nomination application, should you be selected and receive an invitation from us.

Please note you must submit all the supporting documents specified in Document Checklist at time of application submission. Additional documents will not be accepted unless Skilled & Business Migration sends a request during the assessment. Any incomplete applications with missing documents will result in a refusal outcome.

What happens if I do not apply within 14 days?

Skilled & Business Migration monitors SkillSelect and sends invitations throughout the year. If you do not accept your invitation, you may be considered for selection to apply for South Australian nomination, at a later stage during the year.

I have been invited to apply for South Australian nomination, but I have lost my password, and I cannot log into my Expression of Interest on SkillSelect. What should I do?

SkillSelect is a database managed by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.

Contact their SkillSelect technical problems support team for assistance with this issue. If you cannot resolve your issue, you might want to create a new Expression of Interest. You may be selected and receive an invitation from Skilled & Business Migration in the future if your nominated occupation has places available in our offshore program.

Business Migrants

How much does it cost to apply for state nomination for a business skills visa?

Please refer to the Application Fees page for further information.

Is there a minimum residency requirement in Australia for my business visa?

Yes. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website and ensure you understand the requirements for your visa or speak to your registered migration agent. For state nomination criteria, it depends on the visa. Please check on the specific visa page for more information on this.

I currently have a state nominated visa (subclass 164, 165, 188, 132, or 405) from another state. Can I move to South Australia?

Skilled & Business Migration will not provide state nomination if you are the holder of one of these visas based on a nomination from another jurisdiction, unless the state or territory that nominated you originally has agreed to release you. Evidence will be required. State nomination will be dependent on a successful application.

Are licenses required for operating a business in South Australia?

Yes. Whether you're a start-up or an established business there are licenses and regulations that you need to abide by.

For further information please visit the Department of State Development website or business.gov.au.

Am I required to use a registered migration agent or legal practitioner for my application?

No. You are not required to use a registered migration agent or legal practitioner to lodge an application for either state nomination or a visa.

Visit the Immigration Assistance page for further information.

Do I need to get state nomination for a business visa?

If you are applying for subclass 188, 888, 892, 893 or 405, you will need state nomination first.

I have already received 188 State Nomination from South Australia, but I want to change the business plan which was approved by Skilled and Business Migration. What do I do?

You will need to seek approval from Skilled & Business Migration in order to change your business plan. Failure to obtain approval will result in an application for the subclass 888 endorsement being refused. Please contact us through the Skilled & Business Migration portal for further instructions regarding this process.

Local Businesses (RCB)

What is the first step if l want to employ an overseas skilled worker in my business under SESR?

You need to lodge an application for Regional Certifying Body (RCB) advice providing supporting documentation to support your claims. Applications for RCB advice must be lodged through our online application system. A checklist outlining the information and documents required is available here.

How can I find out about visa processing status for the applicant?

The Regional Certifying Body (RCB) has no role in the grant of visas.

The Department of Home Affairs will only communicate about nominations and visa applications with the applicant or their migration agent.

To find out about visa processing visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

What is a Regional Certifying Body (RCB)?

Regional Certifying Bodies (RCBs) are organisations appointed by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. RCBs must provide advice to the Department of Home Affairs about nominations under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) - Employer Sponsored Stream lodged by employers who wish to fill positions in regional Australia that cannot be filled from the local labour market.

RCBs are required to assess whether the identified person would be paid at least the annual market salary rate for the occupation. 

How much does the nomination and visa processing cost?

No fees are charged by the South Australian Regional Certifying Body (RCB) or Department of Home Affairs for an employer nomination under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR).

Department of Home Affairs does charge a visa application fee. Information on fees & charges is available from the Department of Home Affairs website.

Where can I find information on Regional Certifying Bodies?

A list of Regional Certifying Bodies is found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

What kind of positions/vacancies can I fill with overseas employees?

The position has to be a genuine full-time, skilled (as defined by the nominated ANZSCO code) vacancy and available for at least 5 years.

Where can a person we have nominated find out about working in South Australia?

Information relating to employment, Workplace health and Safety (WHS) and the Equal Opportunity Commission is available from the following websites:

• State Awards made under the South Australian Fair Work Act 1994 visit SafeWorkSA.
• Equal Opportunities Commission
• Information regarding finding and starting work, and workplace issues is available from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment
• Information on federal awards, wages and conditions (for employers and workers) is available free of charge from Fairwork Australia.

What is full-time?

Full-time is defined in the relevant industrial arrangement  that covers your worker.  It is usually between 35-40 hours per week.

What does base salary mean?

The base salary is the annual salary before tax excluding any benefits such as mandatory superannuation, penalties, bonuses, allowances, etc.

What does total salary/total remuneration package mean?

Total salary or remuneration is the total salary including superannuation benefits, penalties, bonuses, allowances, etc.

My business will be offering employment to a person and their partner. Do we need to complete a nomination for each of them?

No. Only one nomination for the primary applicant is required. The partner will be the secondary applicant for the same SESR visa application.

What are public interest criteria?

Public interest criteria, which include health and character checks, apply to everybody applying to enter Australia as a permanent or long-term temporary resident.  For further information about public interest criteria visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Where can I find the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) dictionary?

ANZSCO is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. An online version of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations dictionary is available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

Is there a minimum salary level for RSMS?

Yes.

Both the Annual Market Salary Rate for the nominated occupation and the guaranteed annual earnings that will be paid to the nominated overseas workers, excluding any non-monetary benefits (for example accommodation or care provided to them as part of their salary package), must not be less than the TSMIT.  The TSMIT is currently AUD $53,900.

Where can I get assistance/migration advice?

Skilled & Business Migration is unable to provide migration advice.

Learn who can help with your application by visiting Immigration Assistance.

What if 'm unhappy with the service i have received from a migration agent?

Migration agents are required to abide by a code of conduct. If you are unhappy with service you have received, you can make a complaint to the Office of  the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).

Where can I get information on licensing and registration requirements, skill assessments, etc?

The skills assessment and assessing authority page on the Department of Home Affairs website provides information on skill requirements, skill assessing authorities and state-specific registration and licensing requirements in order to be able to work in your occupation in Australia.

How long are Department of Home Affairs visa processing times?

Average visa processing times for SESR are available from the Department of Home Affairs website.

Does the sponsoring employer have to cover the nominee's relocation costs?

Employers who wish to nominate an overseas skilled worker under RSMS to fill a vacancy in their business are not obliged to cover the nominee's visa and relocation costs.

Some employers may do this as a gesture of good will, but there is currently no legislative requirement for employers to do so.

What happens if the RCB advice is 'not satisfied?

The RCB has to provide advice to the Department of Home Affairs as to whether the federal Minister could be satisfied that the nomination application meets the criteria that the RCB is required to assess. (Refer to ‘What is a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) for these criteria.)

If the RCB advises that the application does not satisfy the legislative requirements, it will provide the reasons for the advice to Home Affairs and to the nominator. The nominator can provide further information to the Department of Home Affairs.

The RCB will only provide advice once. Please do not resubmit an application for RCB advice where the advice has been that the RCB assessment criteria are ‘not satisfied’.

What is an 'industrial instrument?

An industrial instrument is a document that is recognised or registered under the national workplace relations system. It sets the minimum terms & conditions of employment for employees covered under that instrument.

Common industrial instrument types include modern awards, enterprise agreements and employment contracts made under common law.

What does 'Annual Market Salary Rate' mean?

Employers must provide the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) that they have determined for the nominated occupation - that is, what the equivalent Australian worker does earn, or would earn working in the same occupation.

How can I find a skilled worker from overseas to fill a position that I have been unable to fill from the local labour market?

SkillSelect

Search the Department of Home Affairs Skill Select database.  SkillSelect is an online service that enables skilled workers interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a skilled visa through an Expression of Interest (EOI).  Intending migrants may be found and nominated for skilled visas by Australian employers or state and territory governments, or they may be invited by the Australian Government to lodge a visa application.

Skilled Arrival Services

South Australia’s Skilled & Business Migration supports migrants with the recognition of overseas gained qualifications and skills for the purpose of finding meaningful employment.
Email: [e-mail]  or phone [phone].

Can I still access the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (Subclass 187)?

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (Subclass 187) direct entry stream visa closed to new visa applications on 15 November 2019. To apply for RCB advice for an RSMS application, you must have submitted the 187 RSMS employer nomination application and the nominee’s 187 visa application to the Department of Home Affairs BEFORE 16 November 2019.

Any new Employer Sponsored nomination applications can be submitted under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) 494 visa.

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

What is the South Australian DAMA?

The South Australian DAMA, is a Designated Area Migration Agreement between the Commonwealth Government and the South Australian Government to enable employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers, for positions that they are unable to fill with local workers. SA has two DAMAs:

The Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement is the Designated Area Migration Agreement covering the Adelaide Metropolitan region only.

The South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement is the Designated Area Migration Agreement covering the entire state of South Australia.

Is this a new visa?

No. The DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program which comes under the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482 labour agreement stream) and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494 labour agreement stream). Employers must apply to Skilled & Business Migration to access the SA DAMA.

What is a DAR?

The Designated Area Representative (DAR) is the signatory to the DAMA and is responsible for overseeing the Agreement, including endorsing employers seeking to access overseas workers through the DAMA. The South Australian Designated Area Representative (DAR) is Skilled & Business Migration, part of the Department of State Development.

How are the SA DAMA occupations determined?

Occupations are determined through consultation with industry associations and key employers, together with government data about skills shortages in the target industries. As part of the management of the SA DAMA, there is an opportunity for an annual review of this list.

Who can sponsor workers under the DAMA?

Eligible businesses operating in South Australia experiencing skills and labour shortages can sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers. South Australian employers can sponsor prospective workers residing in Australia or overseas. 

Why do some occupations not offer any concessions?

The South Australian Government undertook a comprehensive consultation with industry stakeholders as part of the DAMA business case process and occupations were subject to concession negotiation with the Commonwealth, notably not all occupations were offered concessions. The occupations not offered concessions will be closely monitored over the next 12 months with a view to submitting a revised business case to the Commonwealth should sufficient evidence of the need for the concessions be established.

Can an individual (worker) apply for a visa under the SA DAMA independently?

No. The DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program. Employers must apply to Skilled & Business Migration to access the SA DAMA. 

Will workers access permanent residency under the SA DAMA?

There will be opportunities for pathways to permanent residency, for selected visas and occupations. Nominees will be required to meet the eligibility requirements for the permanent pathway.

Who will grant the visa under the SA DAMA?

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs is responsible in making all visa decisions.

What is the Letter of Endorsement?.

Employers interested in a Labour Agreement under the DAMA must first be endorsed by the Designated Area Representative (DAR). If the employer is endorsed, the DAR will provide a Letter of Endorsement to the employer and the Department of Home Affairs. The employer requires the DAR endorsement letter to apply for a DAMA Labour Agreement using the Department’s online lodgement portal, ImmiAccount.

What is a DAMA Labour Agreement?

A DAMA Labour Agreement is an agreement between the Commonwealth and an employer, under the terms and conditions specified in the DAMA. Under a DAMA Labour Agreement, an employer may sponsor an agreed number of overseas workers for the SID (subclass 482), SESR (subclass 494) and, where available the ENS(subclass 186) visas.

Does Labour Market Testing apply under the SA DAMA?

Employers seeking to nominate overseas workers under a DAMA are required to provide evidence that they cannot find a suitable Australian Worker. Before an overseas worker can be nominated, employers need to test the local labour market by advertising the vacant position in Australia. Evidence of Labour Market Testing is required when applying for a DAR endorsement and at the nomination stage.

Does the Skilling Australian Fund levy apply under the South Australian DAMA?

Yes, for more information read the Department of Home Affair's Cost of Sponsoring as well as Skilling Australians Fund website.

Can prospective workers apply for a visa under the SA DAMA independently?

No. A worker interested in a visa cannot apply independently. Employers must apply to the DAR to access the South Australian DAMA first.

How can I contact the DAR?

The Designated Area Representative (DAR) can be contacted by submitting an online enquiry through the Skilled & Business Migration portal.

I am a business employer operating in South Australia, how do I apply for DAMA endorsement?

Applications for endorsement must be submitted electronically on the Skilled & Business Migration portal.

Refer to our How to Apply section for further information.

If my request for endorsement is refused can I appeal the decision?

There are no review rights should the DAR decide not to endorse an employer for a labour agreement. Similarly, there are no review rights if the Department declines a labour agreement request.

Refusal of an application will not prevent you from reapplying should your circumstances change.

I have been endorsed by the DAR, does this mean | will automatically be granted a Labour Agreement with the Commonwealth government?

No. The Department takes the DAR endorsement into consideration when assessing a labour agreement request. A positive DAR endorsement does not guarantee Departmental approval of a labour agreement request.

Can I get help or assistance with the DAMA application process?

Skilled & Business Migration can provide information and guidance to assist you with the Request for Endorsement Application process. Following endorsement we will provide you with information guides on how to apply for the DAMA Labour Agreement process. 

If you are having difficulty navigating these processes, you can seek immigration assistance from a third party who can help you understand all requirements and options available to you. Visit the Immigration Assistance page.

Can I self-sponsor under the DAMA?

Self-sponsorship is not supported under any labour agreements, including DAMAs.

What is the cost for the SA DAMA endorsement application?

There is no application fee for applying endorsement through Skilled & Business Migration, Department of State Development. However, you must pay for all other Federal Government costs associated with nominating and sponsoring an overseas worker. The Department of Home Affairs determines its own costs. 

How can I find employers who are already endorsed for DAMA?

Skilled & Business Migration do not provide a service linking prospective nominees with employers. If you need to connect with the employers who currently have labour agreements in place with the Department of Home Affairs, you can find the list here.

What is the age limit for the visa subclasses under DAMA?

The age limits for visa subclasses are determined by the Department of Home Affairs. Currently applicants over 45 are ineligible to apply for these visas however under DAMA, they are eligible for a concession to the age restriction.

The 482 subclass currently has no age restriction, however applicants will need to meet the age requirement if transitioning to the permanent pathway (subclass 186). See age concession for further information.

Can I apply for subsequent years on the initial application?

No. Endorsements are valid for 12 months only, so if more employees are required in the second year, you may need to request a Variation to your endorsement. See Variation Request for more information.

Do I need to do a separate application for each occupation/visa Subclass?

No. The application system will allow you to process multiple occupations and visa subclasses within one application

Does my nominee need to have a skills assessment?

As a general guide, a skills assessment is not required at the endorsement stage, however some nominees (depending on occupation) will require a skills assessment at nomination and/or visa application stage. See Skills Assessment for further information.

For occupations not on the Combined List of Skilled Occupations, or not listed under OSCA, the nominee will require a skills assessment by the Designated Area Representative (DAR), which is currently Skilled & Business Migration.

Please contact the Department of Home Affairs for further information on which occupations require a skills assessment.

How do I apply for a DAR Skills Assessment?

Submit an online application. You will need to provide a range of documentation. See ‘Skills Assessment’ for further details. DAR skills assessments are available to employers who hold an executed labour agreement.

Which Labour Agreement should choose? Adelaide City or SA Regional?

You will be guided to the correct DAMA based on the nominated occupation.

Does the nominated position need to be full time/permanent?

Yes. Full time positions for the purposes of a nomination application cannot be casual positions.

Positions should generally be considered full time where the employee works:

• 38 hours per week; or
• a period between 32 and 45 hours that is specified under:
  o an industry award or agreement; and
  o is consistent with the National Employment Standards (NES).

Your website says that the applicant is only required to have 1 or 2 years of work experience to apply for a SID or SESR visa. This is different to Department of Home Affairs Requirements; does the applicant also need to meet the DoHA requirements ?

The applicant is required to have the relevant work experience as published on the SA DAMA occupation lists to be eligible to apply for SID or SESR visa under the DAMA. This reduced amount of work experience is the concession negotiated with the Department of Home Affairs for the SA DAMAs.

Note that Skilled and Business Migration do not assess the skills and qualifications of the nominee - this is the remit of the Department of Home Affairs at nomination stage.

I want to nominate my worker for ENS 186 - can I do this in my application for Labour Agreement?

No. This must be done through a variation request close to the year in which it is available to the nominee.  The nominee must have held the 482 visa under the SA DAMA for 3 years prior to being nominated for 186 under the SA DAMA.

The employer will need to provide relevant documentation to support their variation request. See DAMA Variation Request for further details.

I have employed a worker under DAMA but their visa is about to expire. Do I need to apply for a new Labour Agreement?

No. When nominating an overseas worker for a SID visa the approved sponsor will select a proposed period of stay up to 4 years. To re-nominate the employee once their visa expires, you will need to have a position available in your Labour Agreement for the relevant year. This may mean you will need to submit a Variation Request for approval.

I am a visa applicant. How do I apply for the SA DAMA?

Only eligible employers are able to apply for a Labour agreement under the DAMA. Visa applicants under the DAMA will need to be nominated by the employer. The employer must first determine that there are no suitable local applicants for the role, using the prescribed Labour Market Testing.

When I applied for a labour agreement, the English/SMIT/Age concession was not available to the occupation. The DAMA has since been updated to include concession for the occupation - can I now apply for the concession?

Employers can access the updated concessions through a variation request to their existing labour agreement. The variation request must be endorsed by the DAR for the updated concessions and the employer must ensure they include the request in their application for a labour agreement with the Department.

My business operates under a Trust, can I apply for DAMA?

If you operate a business under a trust arrangement, you cannot apply for DAMA, however the Trustee of the company can. The name of the trustee (as it appears in the trust deed) should be entered as the legal name on the

application form (e.g., ‘ABC Pty Ltd’ or ‘John Smith’). All the supporting documents as well as the company ABN should be consistent.

I operate a Labour Hire company. Can I apply for DAMA and nominate employees for labour hire purposes?

No. The nominating business would need to be a party to the labour agreement as the direct employer. An on-hire labour agreement may be a more suitable arrangement. Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for more information about available labour agreements.

How many variation requests can I make each year

If you wish to nominate after the first year of your DAMA, a variation request must be submitted close to the start of the new year. For example:

• Your agreement was signed on 1/1/2023 – making year one 1/1/2023-1/1/2024
• Year two is 1/1/2024-1/1/2025
• If you wish to nominate after year 2, you would need to submit a variation request close to 1/1/2024.

Variation requests are considered annually. Employers are required to consider their staffing needs for the 12 month period prior to applying for DAMA or variation. Skilled & Business Migration understand that situations change, and you may need to increase your occupation ceiling or add additional occupations. In such cases, you may submit additional variation requests, however Skilled & Business Migration will provide endorsement on a discretionary basis.

Overseas Qualification

What is an Overseas Qualification Assessment?

An assessment advice is an official document that confirms the recognition of an overseas qualification to an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) comparable level of education. All assessments are undertaken utilising the Country Education Profiles (CEPs) issued by the Australian Government Department of Education (DESE).

Assessments are for general employment purposes only. They do not compare qualifications by individual subject, study area or competency standards.

What does it cost to have my overseas qualification (s) assessed?

This is a free service for South Australian residents.

What are Country Education Profiles (CEPs)?

The Country Education Profiles (CEPs) is an online qualifications recognition tool designed to help organisations understand overseas higher education and post-secondary technical and vocational educational qualifications.

Can I post my documents?

No. Applications must be submitted through your Skilled & Business Migration portal.

Where can I have my qualification assessed if l am not eligible for qualification assessment by Skilled & Business Migration?

If you do not meet Skilled & Business Migration eligibility requirements for a qualification assessment, you should visit the Australian Government Department of Education – International education website to review other options.

How can I have my trade qualification assessed?

There are a variety of assessment processes for trade qualifications dependent on your trade occupation and the type of qualification you hold. 

Visit Trades Recognition Australia for more information.

How long will an assessment take?

Assessments can take up to 28 days from date of submission if all required documents are submitted as outlined in the Overseas Qualification Recognition Document Checklist.

Where can I get my documents translated? What translations are accepted?

All translations must be carried out by an accredited translator. 

Translations undertaken in Australia must be by an accredited National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) translator. For a list of accredited translators visit the NAATI website. 

You may be eligible to have your documents translated into English at no cost through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). Check your eligibility by visiting the AMEP website.

Do you accept overseas translations?

Any documents translated outside of Australia must be endorsed by the translator showing their full name, address, telephone number, details of the qualifications and experience in the language being translated.

What are certified copies' of documents?

A certified copy is a copy (often a photocopy) of a primary document that has on it an endorsement or certificate that it is a true copy of the primary document. It does not certify that the primary document is genuine, only that it is a true copy of the primary document.

For more information, visit Guidelines for the certification of documents.

I do not have the required documents - what can I do?

If you do not have your full academic transcripts and/or award certificate you can request a copy or reissue from the institution of study. If you cannot get copies of documents, you can request an academic statement from the institution outlining your study.

Alternatively, you can visit the Australian Government Department of Education – International education website to review other options.

What can I do if I have lost my assessment advice?

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If you have lost your assessment advice you can request a copy by logging in to your Immigration SA Apply Website and use the ‘submit enquiry’ option. 

If your original assessment advice was issued more than 12 months ago you may be required to submit a new application. 

Please note: The Country Education Profiles used to undertake assessments are continually updated, therefore any assessment re-issued will reflect the latest CEP guidelines. This means your assessment outcome may change 

What is VEVO?

Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) is an online facility managed by the Department of Home Affairs to check your current visa details and conditions. To learn more and access your account visit VEVO for visa holders.

Arrival Registration

How do I change my contact details?

You can update your contact details and address at any time via the Skilled & Business Migration portal (go to “My Account”, select “My Profile”, click “Update” to view your address details on the next page and save any changes). You can also update your contact details and address when you fill out your post-arrival “Skilled Migrant Updates”. 

If you have any questions, please submit an online enquiry via the Skilled & Business Migration portal.

Why do I need to register my arrival and complete Skilled Migrant Updates?

As part of your visa nomination, we ask that you "Register your Arrival” via the Skilled & Business Migration portal  
and complete three short "Skilled Migrant Updates” during your first two years in Australia.  If you applied for state nomination when you were in Australia, you still need to "Register your Arrival” and you will need to fill out your “Skilled Migrant Updates” for the first two years from your skilled migration visa grant date.

The skilled migrant updates assist Skilled and Business Migration to evaluate the outcomes of the program.

Who is required to register their arrival and complete the updates?

Only State Nominated primary applicants need to "Register their Arrival” via the Skilled and Business Migration portal. Secondary applicants (your partner on your state nomination application) will have their arrival registered through the primary applicant’s “Register Your Arrival” response in “My Account” in the Skilled & Business Migration portal.

When do I register my arrival?

When Skilled and Business Migration are notified of your Visa Grant, we will contact you to inform us of your estimated arrival date.

• Login to the Skilled & Business Migration portal  
• Click on “My Account” and then choose “Arrival Date” 
• Enter your intended arrival date

How do I register my arrival?

When your visa has been granted by the Department of Home Affairs, you will be asked to complete a “Register Your Arrival” Action via the Skilled & Business Migration portal.  

• Log in to the  Skilled & Business Migration portal. 
• There will be an "Action” to be completed titled “Registration of Arrival” 
• Update your arrival details and submit your response 

Note: If you applied for state nomination when you were in Australia, you will be asked to enter the date that you originally arrived in South Australia.

How do I complete my update?

Skilled & Business Migration will notify you by email that there is an “Action” to complete.

Log in to the Skilled & Business Migration portal.  

There will be an ”Action” to be completed titled “Skilled Migrant Update.”

Click the update button to complete and submit your address and employment status.

Ensure you are logged in with the email address you have provided in your state nomination application. 

If we notified you that there are “Actions” to complete and you cannot see them in your account, please submit an online enquiry via the Skilled and Business Migration portal.

Why can I not see any actions listed in my account to register my arrival or complete my update?

Your ‘Register Your Arrival’ action will only be available to you once Skilled & Business Migration have been notified of your visa grant from the Department of Home Affairs. 

If you are unsure when you will be arriving in Australia, please enter an estimated arrival date in the future.  You can revisit this action and update your arrival date at any time. 

Why do I keep getting email notifications to register my arrival or to complete an update?

Reminder notifications will be sent to you until the “Action” is completed in your Skilled & Business Migration portal account.  You are asked to enter either an estimated or planned arrival date.  If you are unsure of your arrival date, you can enter an approximate future date that you are hoping to arrive in Australia. 

Your arrival action can be updated again at any time to reflect more appropriate dates when these become available to you. 

If you cannot see your “Registration of Arrival” action in your Skilled & Business Migration portal account, please submit an online enquiry through the portal.  

When are my Skilled Migrant Updates due?

Your “Skilled Migrant Updates” are due at 6,12 and 24 month intervals from your arrival date in Australia (for applicants living outside of Australia at the time of nomination). For applicants in Australia at the time of nomination, your “Skilled Migrant Updates” are due at 6,12 and 24 month intervals from your skilled migration visa grant date.

Application Fees

What is the application fee?

The state nomination application fee is the amount of money in Australian dollars (AUD) that must be paid at the time of application submission. 

Details of costs associated are listed on our Application Fees page.

If I submit more than one application will I be charged twice?

You will be charged an application fee for each application you submit.

How do I pay the fee?

You will be asked to pay the fee at time of application submission with your credit card. 

Is there an alternative to paying the application fee by credit card?

The only payment method is by credit card.  The only credit cards accepted are VISA and Mastercard.  A surcharge of 1.17% is applied to cover the cost of processing your payment.

Can request for my application fee to be refunded?

No, processing fees are non-refundable. The processing fee is the charge applied for Skilled & Business Migration to accept your application.

Who do I contact if my fee payment doesn't work?

If you have an issue with your fee payment, please contact Skilled & Business Migration by submitting an online enquiry through the Skilled & Business Migration portal. 

How do I know the fee payment worked and my application was submitted?

You will receive an email confirmation that the application has been submitted. You can access your invoice/receipt through the email and through the ‘My Application’ page.

How can I check if I accidentally made the fee payment more than once?

Go to the ‘My Application’ page and select the receipt/invoice.  If there is more than one receipt that would indicate multiple payment.  Please contact Skilled & Business Migration if this has occurred.

Am I able to provide additional documents for my application after it has been submitted without paying a new fee?

All required documents must be submitted with an application at the time of lodgement. You cannot submit additional documents.  If you need to submit additional information, you will need to submit a new application and pay a new application fee.

Online Applications

How do I create a registered user account with Skilled & Business Migration

1. Go to the Skilled & Business Migration portal 
2. For a first time user, you will need to select a registration type to create a new account 
3. Enter your details, email address and click Submit 
4. You will receive an email with a link provided to confirm your registration. Confirm your registration visa the link in the email immediately 
5. The link will direct you back to this site and provide you a one-off log in. You will be prompted to change your password for security purposes 

Which browser should I use?

This system is accessible from a range of browser and mobile devices. Compatible browsers are Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Edge. Note the system supports N, N-1, N-2 versions of the browsers (where N is the current release). Please ensure you refresh your cookies by pressing Ctrl and F5 at the same time.

What file types are acceptable for uploading?

Only the following document file types are acceptable for uploading: 

• GIF 
• JPG 
• PNG 
• PDF 
• TIF 

Please Note: Word documents are not accepted.

What is the document size limit?

Each question which requires documents to be uploaded has the capacity to accept up to 4Mb per single document upload with a maximum capacity of 16Mb in total. 

Documents cannot be larger than the 4Mb per document limit. If your documents are larger than this save the document as a PDF to reduce the file size. 

Further information: 

• resolution of the scan should be maximum 300 dpi 
• size of the scan should be maximum A4

What if I forget my password?

As long as you know your email address you can reset your password: 

• go to the Skilled & Business Migration portal Login page 
• select 'Forgotten your password' and follow the instructions. 

This can also be used if you have incorrectly set up your account and need to reset your password.

Why am I receiving email notifications?

You will receive emails throughout the process of applying for nomination. The purpose of the emails is to inform you of the next step of the process or alert you to a change in application status. The emails will be sent to the email nominated by the registered user and not the email provided in the application form. The emails are automated and no response is required.