Who this may suit
Skilled workers and graduates considering South Australian nomination for permanent residence.
Key considerations
- At our 18 October 2026 check, South Australia’s occupation-list page said skilled ROI and GSM applications were unavailable pending the 2026–27 program.
- The published stream criteria below remain labelled 2025–26. Use them for preparation until updated settings are confirmed.
- Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee selection for subclass 190.
Current South Australian application status
The official occupation-list page says applications will resume when the 2026–27 program commences. An application link on a general stream page does not override that notice. This guide does not assert an opening date.
Before lodging, confirm the program is accepting the relevant application and check occupation-level eligibility for subclass 190. Avoid committing to a move or course based solely on the previous program’s rules.
Sources: South Australia: application status and occupation list
Check South Australia’s current status notice →
The federal subclass 190 requirements
Subclass 190 is a permanent visa requiring state nomination and a Home Affairs invitation. The main applicant generally needs an eligible occupation, suitable skills assessment, competent English and at least 65 points, including nomination points. Health, character and other requirements apply.
An effective 190 nomination contributes five points. You must support your invited score with evidence and be under 45 at the visa invitation. South Australia’s published onshore streams also require you to be under 45 when state nomination is approved; assess both stages if a birthday is approaching.
Sources: Home Affairs: Skilled Nominated visa, subclass 190 · Home Affairs: subclass 190 points table · South Australia: graduate stream, published 2025–26 settings · South Australia: skilled employment stream, published 2025–26 settings · South Australia: outer-regional stream, published 2025–26 settings
Read the federal subclass 190 guide →
When South Australia considers 190 rather than 491
The 2025–26 framework prioritises building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing. Candidates with relevant skills and experience in these sectors, and an occupation eligible for 190, may receive a 190 invitation. High-ranking candidates outside priority sectors may also be considered, with the published pages directing non-priority or non-190 occupations towards 491.
This is a selection framework, not an entitlement to a particular subclass. Compare permanent 190 with the provisional regional alternative before recording your preferences.
Sources: South Australia: graduate stream, published 2025–26 settings · South Australia: skilled employment stream, published 2025–26 settings · South Australia: outer-regional stream, published 2025–26 settings · South Australia: offshore framework, published 2025–26 settings
Compare South Australian subclass 491 nomination →
South Australian Graduates: published 2025–26 framework
The graduate stream requires a qualifying SA course of at least 46 CRICOS weeks, at least 75% of the qualification completed in SA, and one year living in SA during study. The qualification must meet the occupation’s listed level.
The published criteria also require the latest six months of SA residence and six months of qualifying full-time employment after course completion, with current employment of at least 30 hours weekly. Work must be related to the nominated occupation. A qualification alone does not satisfy this employment-based stream.
Sources: South Australia: graduate stream, published 2025–26 settings
Employment and outer-regional pathways
Under the published 2025–26 Skilled Employment stream, applicants need twelve months of SA residence and qualifying employment, and current full-time work of at least 30 hours weekly. The role must be related to the nominated occupation and at the required skill level.
Outer Regional Skilled Employment instead specifies nine months living and working in the state’s defined outer-regional area, with current qualifying full-time employment. It can support 190 consideration under the published selection settings. Use the state’s postcode list; Adelaide’s inclusion in the federal regional framework does not establish outer-regional eligibility.
Sources: South Australia: skilled employment stream, published 2025–26 settings · South Australia: outer-regional stream, published 2025–26 settings · South Australia: outer-regional postcodes · Home Affairs: designated regional postcodes
Applying from overseas
The published 2025–26 offshore pathway selects candidates from SkillSelect EOIs; offshore applicants do not lodge a state ROI. The general experience threshold is three years of relevant skilled employment within the previous five years.
Only the construction and trades occupations specifically listed on the offshore page have the reduced requirement of one year within the previous three years. The page assesses English, experience, qualifications and EOI points. These historical selection instructions do not establish that offshore invitations are currently being issued.
Sources: South Australia: offshore framework, published 2025–26 settings
EOI, ROI and nomination are separate steps
For an available onshore stream, prepare an accurate SkillSelect EOI, then lodge the state ROI when permitted. An invitation to apply for nomination precedes the nomination assessment and separate federal visa stage.
The state FAQ asks candidates to indicate SA and select both subclasses; the ROI records a preferred subclass, but selection may differ. Understand each visa before doing this. Submitted ROIs cannot be edited; significant changes may require replacement under the applicable instructions.
Sources: South Australia: skilled migration FAQs
Make the evidence match your pathway
Create separate residence, study and employment timelines. Reconcile job duties, dates and hours across employer references, payslips and supporting records. Graduates should retain course-duration, campus and completion evidence; outer-regional applicants should document residential and workplace postcodes.
Check the official checklist for your stream and required translations. Missing mandatory documents can lead to refusal without a further request. An EOI does not provide a bridging visa, so review an approaching visa expiry independently of hoped-for nomination.
Sources: South Australia: required documents · Home Affairs: after submitting an EOI · Home Affairs: moving between visas and bridging visa eligibility
How we can help
Ausdirect can compare your pathway, points claims and evidence, and identify what needs reassessing when South Australia releases updated program settings.
Questions to consider
Does a South Australian qualification guarantee a 190 invitation?
No. The published graduate stream also assesses employment and other requirements, and selection is competitive.
Can outer-regional work support a 190 pathway?
The published 2025–26 framework allows 190 consideration where the occupation and selection requirements are met. Recheck the next program’s settings.
Do offshore candidates lodge an ROI?
No under the published offshore process. Selection begins with an EOI; check current instructions before proceeding.
Does remote work for an interstate employer count?
The state FAQ requires an employer’s physical presence in SA and says interstate-employer work is not eligible. Check your actual arrangement before counting it.
Your next step
Prepare your occupation, location, employment and study timelines, and current visa expiry for a consultation.