Skilled Migration to South Australia
South Australia offers four distinct nomination pathways for skilled migrants; covering onshore graduates, employed professionals, regional workers, and overseas applicants. Here you'll find every stream, every eligibility requirement, the state's priority sectors, and what it takes to build a competitive nomination profile.
LAST UPDATED MAY 2026
SNMP : OPEN
1,350 SUBCLASS 190 PLACES
900 SUBCLASS 491 PLACES
4 NOMINATION STREAMS
4
NOMINATION STREAMS
Stream 1-4
6
PRIORITY SECTORS
Available
1,350
SUBCLASS 190
2025-26 State Allocation
900
SUBCLASS 491
2025-26 State Allocation
THREE STREAMS, FOUR SUB-STREAMS
What Is South Australia State Nomination?
State nomination allows South Australia to support skilled migrants whose qualifications and work experience meet the state's identified workforce needs; strengthening both your visa application and your chances of approval. If your occupation appears on South Australia's Skilled Occupation List and you satisfy the eligibility criteria, you can apply for state nomination alongside your federal visa application with the Department of Home Affairs. SA state nomination provides two key benefits: access to a broader range of eligible occupations and additional points toward your subclass 190 or subclass 491 application.
📄 IMPORTANT NOTE FROM SA GOVERNMENT
State nomination does not automatically result in a visa grant. Your application is also assessed by the Department of Home Affairs against visa-specific requirements. A nomination is only one component of a successful skilled visa application.
2025-26 FOCUS AREAS
South Australia's Priority Sectors
Under the 2025-26 General Skilled Migration program, SA prioritised candidates working in six key sectors. These sectors are expected to remain the state's focus heading into 2026-27, though SA has not yet confirmed its updated sector priorities for the new program year. Applicants in these fields receive first consideration for subclass 190 nomination; those outside priority sectors may still be considered for subclass 491.
CONSTRUCTION
DEFENCE
EDUCATION
ENGINEERING
HEALTH
MANUFACTURING
📄 HOW PRIORITY SECTORS AFFECT YOUR NOMINATION
If your occupation sits within a priority sector and is eligible for subclass 190, SA will generally invite you under the permanent visa pathway. If you work outside a priority sector, or if your occupation is not 190-eligible, you may instead be invited under subclass 491 (provisional). High-ranking candidates in non-priority sectors are still considered but just with lower priority.
NOMINATION STREAMS
Four Streams, Four Different Pathways
Unlike some states that operate a single pool, South Australia runs four distinct nomination streams. Each has its own eligibility rules, residency requirements, and work history expectations. Selecting the right stream for your profile is the single most important strategic decision before you submit a Registration of Interest.
STREAM 1 · ONSHORE
South Australian Graduates
SA study + 6 months residency required; no prior work experience needed
For international graduates of a South Australian institution who have moved into skilled employment in the state.
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Must hold a CRICOS-registered SA qualification (46+ weeks, at least 75% studied in SA)
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Requires 6 months of SA residency plus full-time work (30+ hrs/week) in your nominated occupation
6 MONTH SA RESIDENCY
SA STUDY REQUIRED
393 OCCUPATIONS ELIGIBLE
190 (PERMANENT) & 491 (PROVISIONAL)
STREAM 2 · ONSHORE
Skilled Employment in South Australia
12 months SA employment required; no SA study needed
For skilled migrants already living and working in South Australia on a temporary visa.
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Must be currently employed full-time (30+ hrs/week) in your nominated occupation in SA
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Requires 12 months of continuous SA residency and employment in that role
12 MONTH SA RESIDENCY
TEMPORARY VISA HOLDER
393 OCCUPATIONS ELIGIBLE
190 (PERMANENT) & 491 (PROVISIONAL)
STREAM 3 · OUTER REGIONAL
Outer Regional Skilled Employment
9 months regional employment required; metro Adelaide not eligible
For skilled migrants living and working outside metropolitan Adelaide, in outer regional SA.
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Requires 9 months of regional residency and full-time employment, 3 months shorter than the metro stream
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Employment must be in an eligible outer regional postcode, not metropolitan Adelaide
9 MONTHS REGIONAL
REGIONAL SA ONLY
393 OCCUPATIONS ELIGIBLE
190 (PERMANENT) & 491 (PROVISIONAL)
STREAM 4 · OFFSHORE
Offshore ; Moving to SA from Overseas
3 years' work experience required; no ROI needed
For skilled migrants living outside Australia with an active EOI in SkillSelect.
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No Registration of Interest (ROI) needed, just an EOI with SA as first preference
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Requires 3 years of skilled work experience in the last 5 years (1 year in 3 for priority trades)
EOI IN SKILLSELECT ONLY
NO ROI REQUIRED
427 OCCUPATIONS ELIGIBLE
HOW INVITATIONS ARE ISSUED
What SA Considers When Ranking Your Application
Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation. South Australia receives a fixed annual quota from the federal government and selects only the most competitive Registrations of Interest. Here's what matters most for onshore candidates.
1
Priority Sector Alignment
Candidates in Building & Construction, Defence, Education, Engineering, Health, or Manufacturing are assessed first.
SA selects from within these sectors before considering non-priority applicants.
2
English Language Proficiency
Higher English scores (Proficient or Superior) significantly improve your competitiveness. Simply meeting Competent English may not be enough in highly contested occupation categories.
3
Years of Skilled Experience
More years of relevant, post-qualification work experience in your nominated occupation strengthens your ROI ranking, particularly for the Skilled Employment and Offshore streams.
4
Skills and Qualification Level
Higher-level qualifications (PhD, Masters, professional degree with registration) are weighted above lower-level credentials, all else being equal.
5
Salary
SA considers current salary as an indicator of skill level and genuine employment. A salary commensurate with or above Australian market rates for the occupation supports a stronger application.
6
Assessment of Employer
The nature, size, and industry of your employer is considered. Employment with a well-established SA business operating in a priority sector is assessed more favourably than casual or marginal arrangements.
7
EOI Points Score (Offshore Candidates)
For offshore applicants, your total SkillSelect points score is a key merit factor alongside years of experience, English, and qualifications.
📄 NO PUBLISHED CUT-OFF POINTS
Unlike Western Australia, South Australia does not publish minimum cut-off scores for each invitation round. SA selects based on a holistic merit assessment using the factors above. This makes it harder to predict invitation thresholds, which is why building the strongest possible profile across all ranking dimensions is critical.
OFFSHORE · SPECIAL PROVISION
Trades Concession for Offshore Applicants
Offshore applicants in the following construction and trades occupations are subject to a reduced work experience requirement, just 1 year of skilled employment in the last 3 years, compared with the standard 3 years in the last 5 years that applies to all other offshore candidates.
SA GRADUATES STREAM · DEEP DIVE
Understanding the Study Requirements for SA Graduates
The SA Graduates stream has specific rules around what study counts and the requirements are more exacting than many applicants expect. Understanding these before you apply is essential.
📄 QUALIFICATION LEVEL MATTERS
While the SA Graduates stream does not publish a qualification hierarchy like Western Australia's Graduate stream, your qualification level is a merit factor in SA's holistic assessment. Postgraduate degrees (Masters, Graduate Diploma) are generally weighted more favourably than Bachelor degrees when comparing candidates with otherwise similar profiles.
Frequently Asked Question
My occupation is not in a priority sector. Can I still be nominated by SA?
Yes. South Australia states that high-ranking candidates in non-priority sectors may also be considered. However, the practical reality is that priority sector applicants are assessed first, and non-priority candidates are only invited if nomination places remain and their profile is significantly competitive. Being outside a priority sector reduces your chances, it does not exclude you. If your occupation is only eligible for subclass 491, you may still be invited under that pathway regardless of sector.
​
Can I apply to SA if I live interstate in Australia?
For onshore streams (SA Graduates, Skilled Employment, Outer Regional), you must be currently living and working in South Australia, not interstate. Unlike Western Australia, which allows interstate applicants to compete in the same pool as overseas applicants, SA's onshore streams are explicitly restricted to residents of the state. If you live interstate, your pathway is the Offshore stream (if you are genuinely offshore) or you must first relocate to SA and build up the required residency period.​
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How long does SA take to process nominations?
SA publishes processing times on its official website at migration.sa.gov.au/processing-times. Processing timeframes vary throughout the year depending on application volumes and quota availability. Check the live figures on the official site rather than relying on estimates, as they change frequently.​
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What happens if my nomination application is refused?
Common refusal reasons include failing to meet eligibility requirements, documentation discrepancies, not responding to requests for further information in time, or submitting inaccurate information in your EOI or ROI. A refused nomination does not directly prevent you from reapplying, but it wastes your position in the program year's queue. Ensure your documentation is complete and your eligibility is confirmed before submitting, not after.
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Do I need to select SA as my first preferred state in SkillSelect?
Yes. This is a mandatory requirement across all streams. If SA is not your first preferred state in SkillSelect, SA cannot access your profile and you will not be considered for nomination. If your circumstances change and you become interested in SA nomination, update your EOI before submitting your ROI or waiting for an offshore invitation.
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What is the SA Skilled Occupation List and where do I find it?
SA maintains its own Skilled Occupation List (separate from the federal MLTSSL and STSOL) which specifies which occupations are eligible under each nomination stream and visa subclass. It is available at migration.sa.gov.au/before-applying/work-in-sa/occupation-lists/occupations-list. The list is updated periodically; always check the current version before submitting an application.​
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Is the subclass 491 in SA a permanent visa?
No. The subclass 491 is a provisional visa valid for 5 years that allows you to live, work, and study in Australia. It is not itself permanent residency, but it provides a pathway to permanent residence through the subclass 191 (Permanent Residence-Skilled Regional) visa, which requires holding a 491 and meeting work and income requirements in a regional area for 3 years.
STAY AHEAD OF THE 2026-27 OPENING
South Australia's program moves fast once it reopens. Be first to know when the next intake launches.
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