South Australia Skilled Migration 2026–27: Who Can Apply? ROI, 190 & 491 Guide

Updated 22 October 2026 · A2MS – Aussie Academics & Migration Services · Adelaide, South Australia

South Australia’s 2026–27 General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program has particular significance for graduates, skilled workers and prospective migrants seeking state nomination under the subclass 190 or subclass 491 pathways. On 22 October 2026, South Australia announced a targeted opening of Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for eligible people currently living and working in South Australia whose visas are due to expire by 31 January 2027.

This guide explains what the announcement means, how the four main South Australian nomination streams differ, what to check on the occupation list, and how the EOI, ROI, state nomination and visa stages fit together. It is general information, not a personal eligibility determination. The eligibility and invitation arrangements should be checked against the latest official publications before acting.

1. Latest South Australia GSM announcement: who can lodge an ROI now?

South Australia’s official announcement dated 22 October 2026 confirms ROIs are open for individuals living and working in South Australia whose current visas are due to expire by 31 January 2027. The announcement also confirms offshore applicants may continue through SkillSelect without lodging an SA ROI.

What an onshore applicant should check

• Are you currently residing in South Australia and working in the state?
• Is your current visa due to expire on or before 31 January 2027?
• Do you have a current and accurate SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI)?
• Is your nominated occupation available under the relevant South Australian nomination stream?
• Do you meet the stream-specific residence, employment, skills, English and points criteria?

Important distinction: meeting the ordinary requirements of a nomination stream does not automatically entitle a person to lodge an ROI under this restricted opening. For example, a worker may meet the normal twelve-month employment requirement but hold a visa expiring after the stated cut-off. They should not interpret this announcement as an unrestricted invitation to lodge.

What about offshore applicants?

Candidates outside Australia may submit or update their SkillSelect EOI. The state says suitable offshore candidates may be invited directly from their EOI and do not need to lodge an SA ROI. Selection remains competitive and depends on occupation and program criteria.

2. Subclass 190 versus subclass 491: what is the difference?

State nomination is a separate decision from the federal visa application. The South Australian Government assesses nomination; the Department of Home Affairs decides whether a visa can be granted. State nomination is not itself a visa grant.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

Subclass 190 is a permanent skilled visa for eligible candidates nominated by a state or territory. Relevant age, skills assessment, points, English, invitation and other visa rules must be satisfied. See A2MS’s subclass 190 information page.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Subclass 491 is a provisional skilled regional visa that carries regional conditions and can provide a pathway to permanent residence if the requirements of a later permanent visa are met. See our subclass 491 information page.

Occupation availability for subclass 190 and subclass 491 can differ, as can relevant state selection priorities. Being eligible for one subclass should not be taken as proof of eligibility for the other.

3. The four main South Australian GSM pathways

South Australia publishes four key pathways: South Australian Graduates, Skilled Employment in South Australia, Outer Regional Skilled Employment and Moving to South Australia from Overseas. Different residence and work thresholds apply; the following table is an overview, not a substitute for full eligibility criteria.

4. South Australian Graduates: study and employment requirements

The graduate stream recognises qualifying graduates who have studied in South Australia and achieved the required employment outcomes. A South Australian qualification on its own is not sufficient. The state’s graduate-stream guidelines specify the following among the eligibility criteria:

• A CRICOS-registered South Australian course with a minimum of 46 CRICOS weeks.
• At least 75% of the qualification completed in South Australia.
• At least one year living in South Australia during studies.
• At least six months’ recent residence in SA.
• At least six months of full-time employment after course completion, and currently employed full-time for at least 30 hours per week.
• Employment related to and at the required ANZSCO Sub Major Group level for the nominated occupation, alongside an eligible occupation, a current EOI and general nomination criteria.

Why graduate employment evidence matters

An applicant’s job title alone may not demonstrate that employment meets the required occupational relationship. The state generally uses the first two digits of the ANZSCO code (the Sub Major Group) to assess whether work is appropriately related. Review actual duties, hours, pay records, completion date and the nominated occupation. Employment relied on under this stream must be post-course completion.

Graduates should also consider their current visa expiry in light of the 22 October 2026 onshore ROI restriction—graduate-stream eligibility and current ROI access are distinct questions.

5. Skilled Employment in South Australia: the 12-month pathway

The Skilled Employment in South Australia stream is aimed at candidates living and working in the state in qualifying skilled employment.

• Have been residing in South Australia for at least the last 12 months.
• Have been working for at least the last 12 months and be currently employed in a full-time role of at least 30 hours per week.
• Have a role related to, and at the appropriate skill level for, the nominated occupation; generally within the same ANZSCO Sub Major Group.
• Meet applicable occupation, age, English, points, skills assessment, EOI and other state criteria.

The requirements focus on actual qualifying work, not merely an employer’s industry. Applicants should review employment references, job duties, workplace, salary, payslips, ordinary hours and whether there were changes in employment during the claimed period.

6. Outer Regional Skilled Employment: the nine-month pathway

The Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream has distinct geographical and employment requirements, making the applicant’s actual home and work locations especially important.

• Be currently living and working in an area designated as Outer Regional South Australia.
• Have lived and worked there for the previous nine months.
• Currently hold qualifying full-time employment of at least 30 hours each week.
• Have employment at the appropriate skill level and related to the nominated occupation, and satisfy the applicable general nomination requirements.

Not every address outside central Adelaide necessarily qualifies as outer regional under this stream. Check the government’s designated-area guidance. Employer registration addresses and actual work locations may also differ, so applicants should retain evidence of where their duties are performed.

7. Offshore skilled migration: SkillSelect and trade concessions

Offshore candidates are considered through a current SkillSelect EOI, without an SA ROI. The government’s offshore pathway guidance generally requires three years of skilled employment in the nominated or closely related occupation within the previous five years, together with the relevant occupation and federal visa conditions.

For this pathway the state’s page describes qualifying full-time skilled employment by reference to a SkillSelect definition of 20 hours per week. This differs from the 30-hour threshold stated for the specified onshore streams.

Special concession for selected construction and trade occupations

Some specifically listed ANZSCO occupations in the construction and trades sector may qualify for consideration with one year of relevant skilled employment within the previous three years. This is occupation-specific—not a blanket concession for all trades or construction roles.

The state’s list includes specified occupations such as carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians and certain other construction trades. Check the exact ANZSCO code against the current official concession list before relying on the shorter work-experience period.

Offshore candidates invited to apply for South Australian state nomination are generally given 14 days to lodge the state nomination application. EOI claims and supporting evidence should therefore be accurate and ready in advance.

8. Priority industries and state selection

The 22 October 2026 announcement identifies building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing as priority sectors. The detailed 2026–27 stream pages also discuss priority industries, including trades within relevant contexts. High-ranking applicants outside priority sectors may still be considered.

Priority status does not override the occupation list, stream requirements, state selection process or Department of Home Affairs visa rules. A person employed by an organisation in a priority industry still needs an eligible occupation and qualifying employment duties.

9. Check the Skilled Occupation List before preparing an application

The official South Australian Skilled Occupation List is an essential first step. The nominated ANZSCO occupation determines which nomination streams and visa subclass options may be available, and whether additional occupation-specific criteria apply.

• Confirm the accurate ANZSCO occupation and code based on qualifications and actual duties.
• Confirm the occupation is eligible under the relevant nomination stream.
• Check whether subclass 190, subclass 491 or both may be available.
• Confirm the positive skills assessment from the correct assessing authority and its validity.
• Check any stream-specific or occupation-specific conditions before making EOI or ROI claims.

Appearing on the occupation list is not, by itself, a guarantee of eligibility, invitation or nomination.

10. General onshore eligibility: age, English, skills and points

The published onshore pathways generally require a current SkillSelect EOI, South Australia as the first preferred state or territory, an eligible occupation, a valid positive skills assessment, a points-test score of at least 65 including state nomination points, at least Competent English and the applicant to be under 45 when nomination is approved.

English evidence can depend on an approved test result or an accepted passport-based exemption. An applicant wishing to claim higher English proficiency points generally needs suitable approved test evidence. These are baseline matters only: occupation, employment and stream requirements still apply, and minimum points do not guarantee an invitation.

11. What makes an ROI competitive?

The South Australian Government states that nomination places are limited. Meeting minimum requirements does not automatically result in an invitation. For onshore candidates, published selection considerations include English language proficiency, years of skilled work experience, qualifications, salary and assessment of the employer.

An ROI is an expression of interest in being considered, not an approved nomination application. Do not assume that a particular points score, industry role or employment period establishes an invitation timetable.

12. How to apply: onshore versus offshore

Onshore applicants

• Check occupation and pathway: Verify the Skilled Occupation List and all state/federal requirements, including whether you fall within the current ROI opening.
• Prepare documents: Review the official South Australian checklist and collect records supporting visa status, residence, employment and qualifications.
• Submit or update SkillSelect EOI: Keep points claims accurate, select South Australia as preferred and record the EOI ID.
• Register with the South Australian Apply Portal: Complete the ROI and upload mandatory documents if currently eligible to lodge.
• Await a decision: An ROI is not an invitation or state nomination. If invited, submit the nomination application within the stated deadline.
• Continue the visa process: Visa application and grant are determined separately by Home Affairs.

The state’s How to Apply guide states that no government fee is charged for the ROI itself. A Not Invited ROI outcome prevents submission of a new ROI for three months. Separate nomination, assessment, visa and professional fees may apply as relevant.

Offshore applicants

• Confirm the occupation is available to offshore candidates and the experience requirement is met.
• Prepare accurate SkillSelect EOI and supporting documents.
• Do not submit an SA ROI; instead, await possible selection through SkillSelect.
• If invited, register with the state Apply Portal and submit the nomination application within the invitation timeframe.
• If nominated, follow the separate federal visa process.

13. Supporting documents: prepare before invitations

Different application stages and individual circumstances may require different evidence. Consult the government’s How to Apply instructions and linked document checklist. Categories of information commonly requiring evidence include:

• Identity and visa: passport details, current visa grant letter and expiry information.
• Qualifications and professional skills: academic documents, skills assessment and any required licences or registrations.
• English and points: approved English evidence and documentation supporting SkillSelect claims.
• Residence: tenancy, address and other evidence establishing time spent in South Australia or an eligible outer regional area.
• Employment: employer reference, duties, start/end dates, payslips, income, work location and weekly hours.
• Graduate pathway: CRICOS course information, completion date, percentage completed in SA, residence during studies and post-course employment.

Applicants should make sure statements in employment references are consistent with real duties and work history. Information provided in SkillSelect, an ROI, a nomination application and a later visa application should be accurate and supportable.

14. Common mistakes that can affect an SA nomination strategy

• Confusing visa expiry with an ROI closing date: 31 January 2027 is a current-visa-expiry criterion in the October announcement.
• Assuming an unrestricted onshore opening: stream eligibility does not automatically permit ROI lodgement under the targeted opening.
• Choosing an ANZSCO title based only on a job title: actual duties, assessing authority and occupation rules matter.
• Mixing stream thresholds: graduates, skilled employment and outer regional pathways use different six-, twelve- and nine-month requirements.
• Assuming an offshore applicant needs an ROI: the state instructs offshore candidates to use SkillSelect.
• Claiming points or employment that cannot be evidenced: EOI and application information must be accurate.
• Relying on a priority sector as a guarantee: occupation and stream eligibility remain essential.
• Assuming nomination equals a visa grant: Home Affairs makes the separate visa decision.

15. Frequently asked questions about SA GSM 2026–27

Is the South Australian skilled migration program open to everyone now?

No. The 22 October 2026 announcement specifically opens ROIs to eligible people living and working in SA whose current visas expire by 31 January 2027. Separate offshore SkillSelect processes continue.

Does my visa have to expire by 31 January 2027?

That is the current visa-expiry condition for this particular onshore ROI opening. It should not be confused with a published ROI submission closing date or interpreted as a general rule for all future openings.

I graduated in Adelaide. Am I automatically eligible?

No. SA graduate stream requirements include qualifying CRICOS study, residence and relevant post-course full-time work, alongside the ordinary occupation, age, assessment, English and points requirements.

Can 12 months of employment guarantee subclass 190?

No. Employment is only one aspect of eligibility and selection. The occupation, nomination stream, visa subclass and competitiveness all matter.

Do offshore candidates need a South Australian ROI?

No. The government says offshore applicants lodge a SkillSelect EOI and may be selected from that process without an SA ROI.

Do all trade workers qualify with one year of work experience?

No. The concession applies only to specified occupations listed by South Australia under the offshore pathway.

Does an ROI cost money?

South Australia states that there is no government fee to lodge an ROI. Other process fees may apply.

Does an invitation or state nomination guarantee a visa?

No. State invitation, state nomination and Department of Home Affairs visa approval are separate stages; each has its own criteria.

16. Speak with an Adelaide-based Registered Migration Agent

A2MS – Aussie Academics & Migration Services provides Adelaide-based assistance with skilled migration, South Australian state nomination, relevant ANZSCO occupations and subclass 190/491 visa pathways. Individual circumstances—especially current visa conditions, actual occupation and documented employment—should be assessed before decisions are made.

Sunil Choudhary
Principal Registered Migration Agent
MARN 2418425
Office: G01, 450 Pulteney Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: +61 8 7094 8094
WhatsApp: +61 479 078 789
Email: info@a2ms.com.au

Official government sources and further reading

• South Australia GSM update — 22 October 2026
• South Australian Skilled Occupation List
• Skilled migration streams and pathways
• South Australian Graduates stream
• Skilled Employment in SA stream
• Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream
• Offshore skilled migration pathway
• SA state nomination: how to apply
• Meet Sunil Choudhary at A2MS

Important disclaimer: This publication provides general information as at 22 October 2026 and is not personal migration or legal advice. South Australian occupation eligibility, ROI arrangements, priorities and Commonwealth visa requirements may change. Each applicant must meet all relevant requirements; an EOI, ROI, invitation or state nomination does not guarantee a visa. Migration advice at A2MS is provided by Sunil Choudhary (MARN 2418425).