The New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced the interim allocation for the 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program, as received from the Australian Department of Home Affairs. This interim allocation outlines the number of nomination places available for both the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visas.

Interim Allocation Details

Under the interim allocation for 2025-26, NSW has been granted:

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): 200 places

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): 180 places

This allocation serves as an interim measure while NSW awaits its full nomination quota from the Department of Home Affairs.

Invitation Rounds for Subclass 190 Visa

The NSW Government has confirmed that invitation rounds for the subclass 190 visa will begin next week.

These rounds will be conducted for applicants who have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.

To remain eligible, applicants are encouraged to:

• Keep their SkillSelect EOI up to date.

• Ensure that all claims made in the EOI are accurate and supported by valid documentation.

Providing complete and verifiable evidence is essential, as invitations will only be extended to candidates meeting the eligibility requirements at the time of selection.

NSW Priority Sectors

The NSW Government continues to align its migration priorities with the Australian Government’s national objectives, as outlined in the NSW State Migration Plan. This plan supports economic growth, workforce development, and the delivery of key state infrastructure projects.

The identified priority sectors for NSW include:

• Construction (infrastructure and housing)

• Net Zero and Energy Transition

• Care and Support Economy

• Digital and Cyber

• Agriculture and Agrifood

• Advanced Manufacturing

These sectors reflect NSW’s commitment to attracting skilled professionals who can contribute to long-term economic resilience, energy transition, and industry innovation.

Published Skills Lists

The NSW Skills Lists for the 2025-26 program year have now been published. The lists outline eligible ANZSCO unit groups for each visa subclass:

• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated visa)

• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional visa)

Find NSW occupation list here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas/nsw-skills-lists

Only occupations included in the published NSW Skills Lists are eligible for nomination. Occupations outside these lists will not be considered for invitations under this program.

Applicants can view the full lists on the NSW Government’s official migration website to confirm eligibility before submitting or updating their EOI.

Update on Subclass 491 Visa Nominations

At this stage, applications for the subclass 491 visa (all pathways) are closed to new applicants. Further updates regarding the reopening of the subclass 491 nomination process will be provided once the full 2025-26 allocation is confirmed.

At Newsted, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.