494 Regional Advice: When You Need an RCB or DAMA Endorsement

Which regional approval do you need?

Two employers in the same Adelaide suburb can need different regional processes. Check the nomination stream before choosing a form or paying a fee.

Employer Sponsored stream: request salary advice

Find the Regional Certifying Body (RCB) for the worksite. It assesses the annual market salary rate for the particular job. Prepare a position description, proposed remuneration and evidence of what an equivalent Australian worker earns in that location. Explain why the comparison matches the duties, hours and seniority.

South Australia: plan around the advice date

Skilled and Business Migration is the South Australian RCB. SA allows employers to request advice before or after lodging the nomination. Its published guidance gives the advice a three-month validity period from issue. Retain the completed Form 1404 and match it to the correct position. Home Affairs decides the nomination.

DAMA route: obtain employer endorsement and an agreement

Check the designated area, occupation, recruitment evidence and any concession the employer wants to request. The employer applies to the Designated Area Representative (DAR) for endorsement, then seeks a labour agreement from Home Affairs. Read the executed agreement for the occupations, places and concessions actually available before nominating. A DAR skills assessment for an individual is a separate step where required.

Example: Two regional employers, two different requests

A workshop using the Employer Sponsored stream needs the RCB’s view of the local salary. A different business relying on a concession under a South Australian DAMA needs to establish that its worksite and occupation qualify and request the relevant endorsement. Sending salary evidence to the RCB does not secure a DAMA concession.

When the regional advice and the job offer differ

Read Form 1404 against the actual nomination

Check the registered employer name and ABN, occupation code, position title, nominated salary, certifying body and date of advice. Compare the advice with the final offer. If the business moves the role to a different region or changes duties or pay, ask the responsible RCB whether it needs a fresh application before using the earlier advice.

There is no equivalent Australian employee

An Adelaide workshop employing its first specialist cannot rely on an internal payslip for that job. Gather current salary evidence for comparable local work and explain differences in hours, duties and seniority. If a comparable Australian employee does exist, explain their actual terms. An award classification alone may tell the RCB little about what the market pays for the role.

The DAMA endorsement covers one position but the business wants two

Compare the endorsement with the executed labour agreement and its nomination ceiling for the relevant period. Ask the DAR about endorsement for additional places and Home Affairs about any required agreement variation before offering the second place. Record any occupation-specific concession in the approved agreement.

South Australian RCB instructions · SA employer and DAMA FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can the worker request endorsement to find a sponsor?

Under the SA DAMA, the employer requests endorsement for its workforce need. An individual needs a participating employer and a qualifying role.

What if the South Australian RCB is not satisfied?

Read the reasons on Form 1404. SA says that this outcome does not prevent nomination lodgement. Home Affairs considers the advice and the nomination evidence. Review any salary or comparator issue before deciding how to proceed.

Which South Australian agreement is currently available?

SA announced an extension of its two existing DAMAs to 31 January 2027. Check the latest state notice and the coverage of your worksite before applying or relying on a concession.

Can an endorsement for an employer also serve as the worker’s skills assessment?

Check the two decisions separately. The employer’s endorsement concerns its request to use the DAMA. If the agreement calls for a DAR or external assessment of the individual, obtain the specified assessment for that worker and occupation.

Official sources

Reviewed 7 November 2026.

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