South Australia State Nomination for Subclass 190 & 491

On 18 November 2025, the Australian Government confirmed the final state and territory nomination allocations for the 2025–26 program year. For South Australia, the allocation is:  

• Skilled Nominated (subclass 190): 1,350 places 

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491): 900 places 

• Total: 2,250 nomination places 

For context, in 2024–25 South Australia had 3,800 places (3,000 × 190 and 800 × 491), so the 2025–26 program is smaller and more competitive. 

Migration SA has outlined four core nomination streams for 2025–26:  

• Skilled Employment in SA Stream 

• SA Graduate Stream 

• Outer Regional SA Stream 

• Offshore Stream  

Each stream targets a different migrant profile but is built around the same basic expectations: genuine skills, employability and a commitment to living and working in South Australia. 

This stream targets international graduates who studied in South Australia and are now living and working in the state. Graduates with strong employment outcomes are an ongoing priority.  

Typical core requirements shown on the South Australian Government site include: 

• An active EOI in SkillSelect with South Australia as first preference 

• Your occupation listed as eligible under the South Australian Graduates stream on the SA Skilled Occupation List 

• Living and working in South Australia 

• Under 45 at the time nomination is approved 

• A positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation 

• At least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent), or a higher level if required by registration/licensing for your profession.  

Please note that, when looking at the Skilled Occupation List, you should investigate:  

• Whether your occupation is open under the Graduate stream 

• Whether you must be in full-time, closely related employment 

• Any higher points expectations.  

With fewer total nomination places in 2025–26, SA is likely to prioritise graduates who are already in strong, ongoing employment in their field, especially in sectors like health, construction, ICT and education that are known skill priorities. 

This stream is for skilled migrants already in South Australia on a temporary visa, working in their nominated or closely related occupation.  

Key onshore requirements outlined by SA include:  

• Active SkillSelect EOI with SA as first preference 

• Occupation eligible under the Skilled Employment in South Australia stream on the Skilled Occupation List 

• Currently living and working in SA 

• Under 45, with a positive skills assessment 

• At least Competent English (or higher if your licensing body requires it) 

• Minimum points threshold (often 65+ including nomination points) 

• For many occupations, full-time, ongoing employment (usually ≥30 hours/week) in a role closely aligned to your ANZSCO code and undertaken post-qualification. 

Because SA’s overall quota is smaller, this onshore employment stream is likely to remain a core focus, particularly for applicants: 

• In critical shortage occupations, and 

• With longer work history in South Australia and higher EOI points. 

Outer Regional Skilled Employment Stream 

This stream is designed for skilled migrants who are living and working in outer regional South Australia, again in a role that is closely related to their nominated occupation.  

The guidelines generally require:  

• Active EOI with SA as first preference 

• Occupation eligible under the Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream 

• Residence and full-time work in Outer Regional SA 

• Under 45, with a positive skills assessment 

• At least Competent English (or licensing level) 

• A minimum period of residence and employment in the outer regional area (for example, around 9 months in previous settings) at full-time hours in a role aligned to your ANZSCO. 

Rural and regional development remain core objectives for SA. Even with a reduced quota, outer-regional candidates who commit to regional areas and work in high-need occupations may continue to receive strong consideration. 

The Offshore stream is for skilled migrants who are living outside Australia but have an active EOI in SkillSelect with South Australia as their preferred state.  

In previous program years, many occupations were open offshore, but: 

• During the interim allocation phase, SA has clearly prioritised onshore candidates and existing ROIs.  

• With the new full allocation, SA will still have a finite number of places and is expected to focus on experienced offshore candidates in high-demand occupations once the Offshore stream is fully re-opened. 

Until SA publishes its 2025–26 policy settings, we can’t say exactly how many of the 2,250 places will be directed offshore, only that competition will be tighter due to reduced numbers. 

The South Australia Skilled Occupation List remains the central reference for which occupations are in demand. For migration purposes, you can check the SA Skilled Occupation List to understand:  

• Which occupations are open for nomination 

• Whether they are available for 190, 491 or both 

• Any additional requirements (for example, higher English, longer work experience or specific regional conditions) 

Because the overall 2025–26 quota is smaller, SA can be more selective within those listed occupations, for example, inviting: 

• Higher-points candidates first 

• Applicants with strong English and longer skilled work experience, or 

• Those whose work experience aligns exactly with current state workforce gaps. 

Always check your exact ANZSCO code on the SA Skilled Occupation List before planning your pathway. 

While precise steps may vary by stream, the typical process involves: 

• Check eligibility 

• Confirm your occupation is on the SA Skilled Occupation List 

• Ensure you hold a valid skills assessment and meet visa requirements 

• Submit or update your SkillSelect EOI 

• Make sure details such as occupation, location preference (South Australia) and points are accurate 

• State nomination stage 

• Depending on program settings, this may involve submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI) or a state nomination application when pathways are open 

• Visa application to the Department of Home Affairs 

• If nominated, you receive an invitation or nomination for the relevant visa and proceed with the visa application stage 

If you’re aiming for South Australia state nomination, you can strengthen your profile by: 

• Building genuine work experience in SA: Better aim for sustained, full-time work in your nominated occupation 

• Aligning with high-demand sectors: Health, trades and ICT are clear priorities, but other critical sectors may also be considered 

• Keeping documents up to date: Skills assessment, English test results, EOI details and employment evidence should all be current and consistent 

• Demonstrating commitment to South Australia: You should demonstrate clear intention to live and work in SA (and in regional areas, if applying under the regional stream) 

• Following official updates: Because allocations and settings can change during the year, rely on official Migration SA and Department of Home Affairs channels for the latest rules 

Anyone considering applying should check the latest program details on official government websites or speak with a registered migration professional before making decisions.  

If you tell us more about your situation (onshore/offshore, occupation, work history), we can help you map your profile against migration streams and draft a clearer strategy. Contact us today on 07 3003 1899 or hello@solmigration.com.