Name: Department of State Development
Price range: $

Meeting South Australia’s workforce needs through Skilled Migration

The Department of State Development is preparing to direct the first state led skilled migration delegation to the United Kingdom (UK), comprising of both South Australian State Government organisations, and private organisations.

The UK is a key market for skilled migration to South Australia, particularly in priority sectors such as Construction and Trades, Health and Care, Education, Early Childhood Education, Automotive, and Engineering. This delegation will promote South Australia as a migration destination, the state’s workforce needs and employment and career opportunities directly to skilled professionals in the UK, with a strong focus on employer-sponsored opportunities.

The delegation will be visiting 3-5 cities in the UK in October 2025 which may include Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and London.

Opportunities for South Australia

Raise awareness of South Australia as a preferred destination for skilled migrants in the UK.
Increase the understanding of skilled migration programs including employer-sponsored visas among South Australian employers, skilled migrants, industry bodies and relevant migration agents located in the UK market.
Support South Australian employers to build their confidence in recruitment and sponsorship of international talent as a solution to workforce shortages.
Facilitating direct connection opportunities between skilled migrants and potential employers, maximising workforce and employment outcomes, enhancing the migration experience and supporting long-term retention.

South Australia will be promoted through a series of expo-style events designed to highlight the state’s opportunities for skilled migrants. These events will feature designated booths for each participating organisation, offering a platform to directly connect with potential candidates and share information, advice, and employment opportunities. Plenary sessions will complement the expo format, providing opportunities for broader presentations to a wide audience.

Dedicated meeting rooms will also be available for participating organisations to host tailored information sessions or conduct initial interviews - enabling engagement with prospective migrants and the opportunity to identify talent aligned with your workforce needs.

This is a unique opportunity for industry to directly connect with highly motivated, skilled migration candidates in-market - opening pathways to attract, engage, and recruit the talent needed to drive South Australia's future workforce.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open.

Submissions will close on 11 July 2025.

Eligible South Australian organisations who are looking to:

Fill skill gaps.

Expand your talent pool.

Increase business productivity and stay competitive.

Enhance workplace diversity and culture.

Eligibility criteria for organisations includes:

Actively operating in South Australia for more than 12 months and are financially viable
Unable to fill South Australian based skilled positions locally and are needing to source overseas skilled workers.
Have reasonable and lawful employment terms and conditions which align with Australian workplace laws and any relevant instruments.
Already or, at minimum, intending to directly recruit and sponsor overseas skilled workers from the UK via Australian employer sponsored visas, for positions* based in South Australia.
Australian based services providers, such as recruitment agents and migration agents (including those providing services to potential delegates) are not eligible to participate in the delegation, travel as part of the delegation or attend any delegation events.
Are a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) standard business sponsor or, are intending to become a sponsor and will meet the DHA eligibility requirements.

Preference will be given to organisations wanting to recruit overseas skilled workers from the UK, for positions based in South Australia, in one or more of the following sectors: Automotive, Construction and Trades, Education, Early Childhood Education, Engineering, Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and Health and Care.

*Positions must be Skill Level 1 to 3 as outlined in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO),with the exception of the following ANZSCO Skill Level 4 Construction or Motor Trade occupations: 711913 Sand Blaster; 712111 Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator; 721212 Backhoe Operator; 821711 Construction Rigger; 821713 Steel Fixer; 821714 Structural Steel Erector; 899411 Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General).

Information on cost of participation

The cost of running the events including venue hire and logistics, AV and sound, marketing and promotion, coach transport from venue to venue and between nominated hotels will be supported by DSD.

Successful applicants will be responsible for all costs of participating in the delegation including flights, accommodation, other living and logistics, and individual business promotional costs.

Participation in the delegation is subject to meeting the basic eligibility criteria and progression through an approvals process. There will be a limited number of places on the Delegation.

Submit your EOI now.

Email us at migration.engagement@sa.gov.au

Information Sessions

Learn more about this unique opportunity and the EOI process by viewing a recording of an Information Session.

Watch the Information Session.

Skilled migration plays a vital role in addressing South Australia’s workforce needs and is a key component in overcoming the challenges currently facing our labour market.

In addition to the General Skilled Migration program, the South Australian Government also participates in Employer Sponsored migration programs which has the potential to facilitate direct selection and employment outcomes. Both these initiatives create direct pathways for talent attraction and employment, offering a powerful opportunity to meet industry demand - with significant potential for future expansion.

Learn more about Employer Sponsored Migration.

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Focus areas

Partnering with business and industry across key focus areas for economic growth in South Australia.

Programs and initiatives

Supporting business and industry through strategic programs, projects and initiatives.

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Delivering sustainable economic growth and a resilient economy through the development of creative, innovative and productive businesses and industries in South Australia.

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Explore the latest news, events and insights from South Australia's industry, academia and business community.

More Sites

South Australia Skilled Workforce Delegation to the United Kingdom

Meeting South Australia’s workforce needs through Skilled Migration

Opportunities for South Australia

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open.

Information Sessions