South Australia continues to invite ICT professionals under Subclass 491. February 2026 data shows ICT as the largest invited occupation group.

Victoria’s 15 January skilled migration invitation round shows that state nomination is no longer driven by points or occupation lists alone. Invitations are increasingly favouring candidates who demonstrate functional skill gaps, local workforce attachment, and practical economic contribution, even in occupations often assumed to be oversupplied.

NSW’s same-day opening and near-immediate closure of subclass 491 Pathway 1 and 3 nominations was not the result of “unexpected demand”, but of predictable pressure meeting an under-calibrated intake system. When pathways close within hours, skilled migration outcomes begin to resemble a race against the clock rather than a merit-based selection process.