South Australia nomination for the 190 and 491 visas

South Australia announced on 22 October 2026, and we checked on 9 November 2026, that:

SA publishes a 2026–27 Skilled Occupation List and stream requirements.

• registrations of interest are open for people living and working in South Australia whose current visas expire by 31 January 2027;
• offshore candidates can keep lodging an EOI in SkillSelect, do not need to submit an ROI, and suitable candidates will be invited directly from their EOI;
• invitations will go to suitable onshore and offshore candidates, with a focus on building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing;
• high-ranking candidates in non-priority sectors may also be considered;
• all applicants must have a current EOI in SkillSelect.

We could not confirm: South Australia's 2026–27 place numbers, or whether SA will open ROIs to onshore applicants with later visa expiry dates.

Both the 190 and the 491 need a SkillSelect EOI, at least 65 points, age under 45 when invited, competent English, a suitable skills assessment and an eligible occupation. The 190 is permanent. The 491 is provisional and regional.

1. Check SA's 2026–27 Skilled Occupation List and the stream requirements.
2. Lodge or update your EOI in SkillSelect, selecting South Australia. See our EOI guide.
3. If you live and work in SA and your visa expires by 31 January 2027, submit an ROI.
4. If you are offshore, keep your EOI current and wait for a possible invitation.
5. If invited, apply for SA nomination, then lodge your visa.

SA may suit people working in South Australia whose visas end soon, and skilled workers in SA's priority sectors, both in Australia and overseas.

• Skills assessment: make sure it is for the occupation you will nominate and is still valid on the day you are invited.
• English test: make sure your result is current and meets the level you are claiming points for.
• Points: every points claim in your EOI must be backed by documents. Claims you cannot prove can lead to refusal.
• Evidence for South Australia: collect proof of where you live and work, such as a lease, payslips and an employment contract, if South Australia asks for it.
• Visa expiry: know when your current visa ends, so you can plan a bridging visa or another option if the nomination takes longer than expected.

• Relying on one state only, when another state or visa may suit you better.
• Lodging an EOI that does not match your documents, such as different dates of employment.
• Missing the deadline to apply after an invitation. A state invitation and a Home Affairs invitation each have their own time limit.
• Assuming a registration or EOI keeps you lawful in Australia. It does not. Only a valid visa or bridging visa does.