South Australia Launches 2026 with 344 Skilled Migration Invitations

South Australia's Skilled and Business Migration unit issued 344 invitations in its first skilled migration round of the 2026 calendar year. The round covered both the Subclass 190 (State Nominated) permanent visa and the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) provisional visa. The breakdown was 235 Subclass 190 invitations and 109 Subclass 491 invitations.

Which Occupations Were Invited?

Health professionals received the largest allocation, accounting for 69 invitations in this round. Design, engineering and related technical occupations formed the second-largest group, followed by education professionals. This occupational mix reflects South Australia's workforce priorities and aligns with the federal government's focus on healthcare, construction and regional development under the new four-tier occupation framework.

Occupation GroupEstimated InvitationsVisa TypeHealth Professionals69 (largest group)190 / 491Design and EngineeringSecond-largest group190 / 491Education ProfessionalsThird-largest group190 / 491Other Eligible OccupationsRemaining allocations190 / 491

Subclass 190 vs Subclass 491: Key Differences

The Subclass 190 is a permanent residence visa. Applicants require nomination from a state or territory government and must score at least 65 points on the SkillSelect points test. South Australia allocated 235 invitations to this stream in this round, providing an immediate pathway to permanent residence for critical workers.

The Subclass 491 is a five-year provisional visa for applicants willing to live and work in a regional area. It carries an additional 15 points for being nominated by a state or territory. South Australia allocated 109 invitations to this stream, targeting offshore talent committed to regional employment outside metropolitan Adelaide. Holders must meet residency and income requirements before becoming eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa.

What Are the Practical Points Thresholds?

South Australia has historically operated at lower effective points thresholds than New South Wales and Victoria, particularly for the 491 stream targeting regional applicants. Specific cut-off scores vary by occupation and change each round. Applicants are assessed through the federal SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) system before a state nominates them.

Points are awarded across factors including age, English proficiency, skilled employment, qualifications and partner skills. A valid positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is required before an EOI can be submitted.

How South Australia's Monthly Rounds Work

South Australia conducts monthly invitation rounds rather than ad hoc draws. This structure gives offshore applicants more predictable timelines and allows employers to plan workforce arrangements with greater certainty. Once state nomination is secured, applicants must still lodge the visa application directly with the Department of Home Affairs. State nomination does not automatically grant the visa but significantly improves processing priority.

Implications of the Federal Four-Tier Occupation System

From late 2024, Australia restructured its skilled occupation lists into a four-tier framework, prioritising occupations in healthcare, construction, critical infrastructure and select other sectors. South Australia's 2026 Round 1 occupational mix is consistent with this framework, concentrating invitations in Tier 1 and Tier 2 occupations. Applicants in occupations classified at lower tiers may face reduced invitation volumes or higher points requirements across all states.

Key Takeaways

• South Australia issued 344 invitations in its first 2026 round: 235 Subclass 190 (permanent) and 109 Subclass 491 (regional provisional).
• Health professionals received the largest allocation at 69 invitations, followed by engineering and education occupations.
• The state's monthly round structure provides more predictable timelines compared to ad hoc draws in other states.
• South Australia generally operates at lower points thresholds than eastern states, particularly for the 491 regional stream.
• A valid skills assessment and an active SkillSelect EOI are prerequisites before any state nomination can be issued.
• State nomination does not grant the visa. Applicants must still lodge with the Department of Home Affairs after receiving an invitation.

The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.

Speak with a Riverwood Migration Lawyer

For skilled migration and skills assessment matters, we recommend speaking with Scott Gan, our lawyer specialising in points-tested visas and occupation skills assessments. Book a consultation to discuss your circumstances.

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