South Australia just issued 406 skilled migration invitations in a single round on 5 March 2026 - the largest state nomination round this financial year. With the 189 visa quota effectively exhausted and the Northern Territory closed to new applicants, SA has emerged as one of the most accessible and active skilled migration pathways in Australia right now.
Whether you're a health professional in Adelaide, an engineer considering a move to regional SA, or an offshore applicant eyeing Australia for the first time, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about South Australia's 190 and 491 nomination program for 2025-26.
SA's 2025-26 Nomination Allocation: The Numbers
South Australia has been allocated 2,250 state nomination places for the 2025-26 program year:
| Visa Subclass | Allocation | What It Offers |
|---|---|---|
| 190 - Skilled Nominated | 1,350 places | Permanent residency + 5 state nomination points |
| 491 - Skilled Work Regional | 900 places | Provisional visa (3 years in regional area → 191 PR) + 15 nomination points |
As of March 2026, approximately 70% of the total allocation has been used, meaning around 675 places remain across both subclasses. With monthly rounds confirmed through June 2026, the window is still open - but it's narrowing.
SA's monthly rounds will continue through the rest of the 2025-26 program year (next round: early April 2026). Don't wait until the last round - earlier applicants in high-demand sectors have a stronger chance of selection.
Which Occupations Are SA Prioritising?
South Australia focuses its nominations on six priority sectors:
- Health - Registered nurses, medical practitioners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, aged care workers
- Engineering - Civil, mechanical, electrical, mining, and environmental engineers
- ICT - Software engineers, developer programmers, ICT business analysts, database administrators
- Building & Construction - Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, construction managers
- Education - Secondary school teachers, early childhood educators, special needs teachers
- Defence & Manufacturing - A range of trades and professional roles supporting SA's defence contracts
Recent Invitation Breakdown by Occupation Group
The March 2026 round (406 invitations) followed similar patterns to earlier rounds:
| Occupation Group | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Professionals | 69 | 95 | ~100 |
| Engineering & Science | 63 | 68 | ~70 |
| ICT Professionals | 33 | 38 | ~42 |
| Construction Trades | 30 | 35 | ~38 |
| Education Professionals | 22 | 22 | ~25 |
| Business & Marketing | 16 | 17 | ~18 |
| Other | 111 | 89 | ~113 |
ICT professionals in the March round received the majority of their invitations under the 491 subclass, suggesting SA prefers to place tech talent in regional areas. If you're in ICT, consider regional SA seriously - it may speed up your invitation.
You can search for your ANZSCO code to check whether your occupation appears on SA's Skilled Occupation List and which visa subclasses it's eligible for.
SA's Four Nomination Streams
South Australia offers four distinct nomination streams, each designed for different applicant profiles:
1. Skilled Employment in SA (Onshore)
For skilled migrants already living and working in South Australia.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Residence | Currently living in SA for at least 12 months |
| Employment | Working full-time (30+ hours/week) in SA in a related occupation |
| Experience | Post-qualification skilled employment aligned with your ANZSCO sub-major group |
2. SA Graduates (Onshore)
A fast-track pathway for international students who studied in SA.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Qualification | CRICOS-registered SA qualification of at least 46 weeks |
| Study location | At least 75% of studies completed in SA |
| Residence | Lived in SA for at least 1 year during studies |
| Employment | Working full-time (30+ hours/week) for the last 6 months in a related occupation |
3. Outer Regional Skilled Employment (Onshore)
For applicants living and working in outer regional South Australia (outside Greater Adelaide).
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Residence | Minimum 9 months living in outer regional SA |
| Employment | Full-time work in outer regional SA in a related occupation |
| Benefit | May qualify for certain work experience exemptions |
4. Offshore Applicants
SA actively invites skilled migrants from overseas.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| ROI required? | No - offshore applicants are invited directly from SkillSelect EOI |
| Experience | Typically 3+ years of skilled work experience in the last 5 years |
| Priority sectors | Health, engineering, construction, defence, education, manufacturing |
Offshore applicants don't need to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI). SA considers your SkillSelect EOI directly - just make sure South Australia is listed as your first preferred state.
Eligibility: What You Need to Qualify
Regardless of which stream you apply through, you must meet these baseline requirements:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 45 at time of nomination |
| Skills assessment | Positive assessment from the relevant authority (e.g., ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS) |
| English | Minimum Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent), though some occupations require higher |
| Points | At least 65 points (including 5 points for 190 nomination or 15 points for 491 nomination) |
| EOI | Active Expression of Interest in SkillSelect with SA as first preference |
| Commitment | 190: live and work in SA for 2 years after visa grant; 491: live, work, and study in regional Australia for 3 years |
Use the GSM Points Calculator to check whether you meet the minimum 65-point threshold - and remember, competitive scores for SA nominations typically range from 65 to 80 points depending on your occupation and stream.
How Much Does It Cost?
Here's a summary of the key fees involved:
| Fee | Amount (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SA state nomination application | $381 | Paid when invited to apply for nomination |
| Registration of Interest (ROI) | Free | Only required for onshore applicants |
| Visa application fee (190 or 491) | $4,910 | Paid to Department of Home Affairs (current as of July 2025) |
| Skills assessment | $500-$1,500 | Varies by assessing authority |
| English language test | $350-$500 | IELTS, PTE, OET, or TOEFL |
Fees are current as of March 2026 and are subject to change. The next fee adjustment is expected on 1 July 2026. Skills assessment costs vary significantly by occupation and assessing authority.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Here's an overview of the SA state nomination and visa application process:
- Check your occupation - Confirm it appears on SA's Skilled Occupation List and note any special requirements
- Get your skills assessed - Complete your skills assessment with the relevant assessing authority
- Take your English test - Achieve at least Competent English (or higher if your occupation requires it)
- Calculate your points - Use the GSM Points Calculator (linked above) to confirm you reach 65+ points
- Lodge your EOI - Submit via SkillSelect with South Australia as your first preferred state
- Submit your ROI (onshore only) - Lodge through SA's Skilled & Business Migration portal (free)
- Wait for your invitation - SA issues invitations monthly; selection is based on points, occupation demand, and stream
- Apply for state nomination - Once invited, submit your nomination application and pay the $381 fee
- Receive your visa invitation - If nominated, SkillSelect will issue your visa invitation
- Lodge your visa application - Apply through ImmiAccount within 60 days of invitation
190 vs 491: Which Should You Choose?
| Factor | 190 - Skilled Nominated | 491 - Skilled Work Regional |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent residency | Provisional (leads to 191 PR) |
| Nomination points | +5 | +15 |
| Location | Live and work anywhere in SA | Must live, work, and study in a designated regional area |
| Commitment | 2 years in SA | 3 years in regional Australia |
| PR pathway | Immediate PR on grant | Apply for 191 after 3 years |
| Allocation | 1,350 places | 900 places |
| Best for | Higher-scoring applicants; those already in Adelaide | Applicants who need the extra 15 points; those open to regional living |
For many applicants, the 491's extra 15 nomination points make it the more realistic pathway. If your base score (before nomination points) is between 50 and 60, the 491 may be your only route to reach the 65-point threshold.
For more detail on how 190 and 491 compare nationally, see our 189 vs 190 vs 491 comparison guide.
Why SA Right Now?
With the 189 visa quota effectively exhausted for 2025-26 and the Northern Territory closed to new state nomination applicants, South Australia is one of the most active and accessible state nomination programs in Australia. Here's why:
- Monthly invitation rounds confirmed through June 2026
- 30% of the allocation still available (as of March 2026)
- Offshore applicants welcome - no ROI required
- Broad occupation coverage across health, engineering, ICT, education, and trades
- Competitive entry scores - typically 65-80 points (lower than NSW or VIC for many occupations)
Explore SA's programme alongside other states in our state nomination comparison guide.
How First Migration Can Help
Navigating South Australia's state nomination system - from choosing the right stream to optimising your points score and managing the timeline - can be complex. At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents specialise in skilled migration pathways and can guide you through every step of the process.
Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can evaluate your eligibility for SA state nomination and provide tailored advice on your best pathway forward.
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