South Australia Skilled Migration: May 2026 Invitation Round

Key Takeaways

• South Australia issued 509 invitations on 1 May 2026: 295 for Subclass 190 and 214 for Subclass 491.

• The state has now exceeded its 2025–26 annual allocations for both visa subclasses.

• Health Professionals remain the most invited group by a wide margin, claiming 141 of 509 invitations.

• A further invitation round is confirmed for mid to late May 2026.

• Both visa programs are operating in over-allocation territory, meaning the competition window is narrowing rapidly.

Overview: What Happened in the May 2026 SA Invitation Round?

South Australia's Skilled and Business Migration unit conducted its first invitation round of May 2026 on 1 May 2026, continuing to draw on the four streams of the 2025-26 General Skilled Migration program. The round produced a combined total of 509 invitations across the two key state-nominated visa subclasses, the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491).

This round marks a significant milestone: South Australia has now officially surpassed its full-year allocations for both visa types, with Subclass 190 at 118.96% of its 1,350-place allocation and Subclass 491 at 112.11% of its 900-place allocation. On paper, this means the state has over-nominated by 256 places (190) and 109 places (491) relative to its Department of Home Affairs quota - a clear signal that demand for SA nomination has dramatically outpaced supply in 2025-26.

May 2026 Invitations at a Glance

ANZSCO Sub-major Group	Subclass 190	Subclass 491	Total
13 Specialist Managers	8	3	11
14 Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers	0	2	2
22 Business, HR and Marketing Professionals	0	16	16
23 Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals	57	15	72
24 Education Professionals	32	17	49
25 Health Professionals	128	13	141
26 ICT Professionals	0	28	28
27 Legal, Social and Welfare Professionals	8	2	10
31 Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians	4	34	38
32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers	29	11	40
33 Construction Trades Workers	14	30	44
34 Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers	10	0	10
35 Food Trades Workers	0	2	2
36 Skilled Animal, Agricultural and Horticultural Workers	0	2	2
41 Health and Welfare Support Workers	3	19	22
45 Sports and Personal Service Workers	1	0	1
51 Office Managers and Program Administrators	0	9	9
Total	295	214	509

Year-to-Date Totals: Where Does SA Stand for 2025-26?

As of the 1 May 2026 round, South Australia has issued a cumulative total of 2,615 invitations for the 2025-26 program year:

• Subclass 190: 1,606 invitations (against an allocation of 1,350)

• Subclass 491: 1,009 invitations (against an allocation of 900)

These YTD figures confirm that South Australia has used and exceeded its entire yearly quota well before the financial year ends on 30 June 2026. The over-allocation is not unusual; states are sometimes permitted to invite beyond their initial quota when demand is strong and federal approval is in place. However, it reinforces just how competitive SA nomination has become this program year.

Occupation-by-Occupation Analysis

1. Health Professionals : The Clear Frontrunner

With 128 Subclass 190 invitations and 13 Subclass 491 invitations in May alone, Health Professionals continue to dominate SA's nomination activity. Year-to-date, this group has received a staggering 550 Subclass 190 invitations; the highest of any occupation category in the entire program. SA's ongoing demand for registered nurses, medical practitioners, physiotherapists, and allied health workers reflects the state's broader workforce strategy in health infrastructure.

For health professionals considering South Australia, the data is unambiguous: this is the most consistently invited occupation group in the state. The Subclass 190 pathway in particular is extremely active.

2. Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals

This broad category generated 57 Subclass 190 and 15 Subclass 491 invitations in May, bringing its YTD total to 334 (190) and 93 (491). Engineers across civil, structural, mechanical, and chemical disciplines as well as scientists, surveyors, and transport planners continue to find strong pathways through SA nomination. Adelaide's growing infrastructure pipeline and defence industry expansion make this a priority area.

3. Education Professionals

32 Subclass 190 and 17 Subclass 491 invitations were issued to Education Professionals in the May round, reflecting sustained demand for teachers and school administrators. With a YTD Subclass 190 total of 137, this group is notably active. South Australia's teacher shortage — particularly in secondary schooling and STEM disciplines is translating into consistent nomination activity.

4. Construction Trades Workers

Construction Trades Workers received 14 Subclass 190 and 30 Subclass 491 invitations in May, bringing YTD totals to 141 and 86 respectively. The strong Subclass 491 lean is noteworthy regional construction demand, particularly in SA's outer metropolitan and rural areas, continues to drive invitations for carpenters, bricklayers, plasterers, and plumbers.

5. ICT Professionals (Group 26) : Subclass 491 Only

A critical data point for technology workers: zero Subclass 190 invitations were issued to ICT Professionals in May 2026. All 28 invitations went via Subclass 491, and the YTD picture mirrors this -just 7 Subclass 190 invitations across the entire program year versus 230 Subclass 491. This tells a clear story: if you are a software developer, systems analyst, database administrator, or cybersecurity professional seeking SA nomination, the Subclass 491 is your primary pathway at this time. Applicants focused solely on Subclass 190 in the ICT space face an extremely narrow window.

6. Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians : Regional Lean

With 4 Subclass 190 and 34 Subclass 491 invitations in May, and a YTD split of 40 versus 141, this group shows a strong regional skew. Technicians including ICT support officers, civil engineering technicians, and electronic engineering workers are predominantly being directed toward SA's regional areas via the 491 pathway.

7. Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers

29 Subclass 190 and 11 Subclass 491 invitations in May reflect healthy activity for this trades group, including motor mechanics, panel beaters, and fabrication engineers. The YTD Subclass 190 figure of 78 is respectable and shows the state values skilled tradespeople in the automotive and manufacturing sectors.

8. Health and Welfare Support Workers

3 Subclass 190 and 19 Subclass 491 invitations were issued to this group in May. Much like ICT Professionals, welfare and community support workers are predominantly being channelled through the regional 491 pathway, with YTD figures of 17 (190) versus 98 (491). Disability support workers, welfare workers, and community health professionals should focus their efforts on the 491 stream.

9. Business, HR and Marketing Professionals

Zero Subclass 190 invitations in May, with 16 Subclass 491. YTD, only 30 Subclass 190 invitations have been issued versus 104 for 491. This is another group where the Subclass 491 is clearly the more realistic pathway under current SA priorities.

What Does Over-Allocation Mean for Applicants?

The fact that South Australia has exceeded its 2025-26 allocation for both visa subclasses is significant and warrants careful interpretation.

It does not mean the program is closed. SA Skilled and Business Migration has confirmed that another invitation round will proceed in mid to late May 2026. Over-allocation occurs when a state government has negotiated additional places or draws forward invitations with federal government approval, and it is a relatively common practice toward the end of a program year.

It does mean competition is intense. With allocations exhausted and the financial year ending 30 June 2026, the remaining weeks represent a compressed and highly competitive window. Expression of Interest (EOI) scores; particularly points in the SkillSelect system for Subclass 190, or SA nomination scores for Subclass 491 will be scrutinised carefully.

It also means the 2026–-27 program year is the next major opportunity. For applicants who do not receive an invitation before 30 June 2026, the new financial year beginning 1 July 2026 will reset allocations and open a fresh cycle. Strategic applicants should be using this period to ensure their EOIs are lodged, their skills assessments are current, and their documentation is in order ahead of that reset.

Comparing May 2026 to Earlier Rounds

Looking at the trajectory over the 2025-26 year, several patterns emerge:

Health Professionals have been consistently dominant. Every single round from 2025 onward shows Group 25 leading Subclass 190 invitations by a significant margin. The May 2026 figure of 128 Subclass 190 invitations in a single round is consistent with the monthly averages seen in February (96), March (88), and April (70) - though May's 128 is the highest single-month figure of the year so far.

ICT and Business occupations have been almost entirely 491-directed. The near-zero Subclass 190 activity for Groups 22 and 26 throughout the year confirms that SA's Subclass 190 program is heavily weighted toward health, engineering, education, and trades.

Construction and trades are accelerating toward year-end. Construction Trades Workers saw a notable uptick in May (44 total), consistent with ramp-up in infrastructure projects across Greater Adelaide and regional SA.

What Occupations Are NOT Being Invited?

It is equally instructive to look at occupations receiving minimal or zero invitations. In May 2026:

• Food Trades Workers (Group 35): 2 invitations (both 491) - very limited activity throughout the year.

• Skilled Animal, Agricultural and Horticultural Workers (Group 36): 2 invitations (both 491) - minimal presence; YTD only 4 total.

• Sports and Personal Service Workers (Group 45): 1 invitation (190 only) - extremely sparse.

• Legal, Social and Welfare Professionals (Group 27): 10 invitations - modest activity.

If your occupation falls in these categories, it is worth assessing whether SA nomination is a realistic near-term pathway, or whether alternative state nominations or federal invitation pathways deserve priority attention.

The Next SA Invitation Round: Mid to Late May 2026

SA Skilled and Business Migration has confirmed that the next invitation round will occur in mid to late May 2026. This is expected to be one of the final rounds of the 2025-26 program year, given the financial year cutoff of 30 June 2026.

For applicants currently holding an active EOI or SA nomination application, this confirmation is important. There is still a meaningful opportunity - 509 invitations in the 1 May round demonstrates the state is not slowing activity despite over-allocation.

Practical Guidance for Prospective Applicants

If you are a health professional: South Australia is actively and consistently inviting across both subclasses. The Subclass 190 pathway is particularly strong. Ensure your AHPRA registration (where applicable), skills assessment, and English language results are current, and that your EOI is lodged and up to date.

If you are an engineer or design professional: Group 23 remains active on the 190 pathway. However, competition is fierce and EOI scores matter. Review your points calculation carefully - age, English proficiency, and Australian study claims can all make a meaningful difference.

If you are an ICT professional: The data is clear - pursue the Subclass 491 pathway in SA. Consider whether you have a genuine commitment to living and working regionally in South Australia, as this will be central to your obligations if nominated.

If you are a tradesperson: Construction, automotive, and electrotechnology trades are active. The split between 190 and 491 varies by sub-group review the monthly data carefully to understand which pathway aligns with your occupation.

For all applicants: With over-allocation already in effect, the 2026-27 program year reset on 1 July 2026 is a critical strategic milestone. Use the coming weeks to lodge or refine your EOI, obtain your skills assessment, and consult a registered migration agent to ensure your profile is in the strongest possible shape when new allocations become available.

Reach out before the next invitation date to allow time for any profile improvements or, to explore new pathway. To start a conversation, just say "Hi" (sms/WhatsApp: +61410478759)

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