South Australia State Nomination for Subclass 190 and 491: Complete Guide (2026)

The Subclass 190 visa is a highly sought-after permanent residency visa. Getting a nod from South Australia gives you a neat 5 extra points toward your SkillSelect score right at the time of your invitation.

Common pathways: SA looks after its locals and graduates, typically running dedicated streams for international students who have finished their studies in SA, as well as for skilled workers who are already employed in the state (usually requiring between 6 to 12 months of local work experience). They also run a competitive program for offshore applicants to fill critical skill shortages.

How the process works:

1. Lodge your EOI: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, ensuring you nominate South Australia. (If you're offshore, this is the main step to get noticed).
2. Submit an ROI (Onshore): If you are already living and working in SA, you'll generally need to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) directly through the Migration SA website.
3. Get invited by the state: SA reviews the EOIs and ROIs and invites the most competitive candidates to apply for state nomination.
4. Receive your visa ITA: Once SA approves your nomination application, the Department of Home Affairs will automatically issue your Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the visa.

The Subclass 491 visa is a provisional visa for skilled workers. Securing SA nomination for the 491 gives a massive 15-point boost to your total score.

The Adelaide perk: One of the best things about SA's 491 program is that the entire state counts as "regional". This means you can live, work, and study right in the middle of Adelaide while on a 491 visa. That's quite a unique perk compared to some other states where you might have to move to a smaller regional town. Not sure which visa suits you best? Have a read of our 189 vs 190 vs 491 breakdown.

Pathway to PR: Remember that the 491 is provisional, valid for 5 years. Once you've lived and worked in South Australia for 3 years (and met the income requirements), you can step up to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa.

South Australia prides itself on having one of the broadest occupation lists in the country, reflecting its diverse and growing economy. You should definitely check the official Migration SA website for the most up-to-date list, but here are some sectors that frequently see high demand:

• •Healthcare and Medical: There is consistent, strong demand for Registered Nurses, GPs, and various allied health professionals.
• •Engineering and Science: Driven by SA's strong defence, space, and renewable energy industries. Civil Engineers, electrical engineers, and scientists are often highly sought after.
• •Trades: The state always needs hands-on skills, particularly Electricians, motor mechanics, chefs, and carpenters.
• •IT and Digital: Software Engineers, cybersecurity experts, and systems analysts generally do well, especially if they are already working in the local industry.
• •Agriculture and Wine: With SA being a powerhouse in food and wine, specialized agricultural roles frequently appear on the regional lists.

If you choose South Australia, you're signing up for a brilliant lifestyle. Adelaide is famously known as the "20-minute city" because it's incredibly easy to get around. You get the benefits of a bustling metropolis-world-class food, a vibrant arts scene (hello, Adelaide Fringe!), and beautiful beaches-without the crushing traffic or sky-high property prices you'd find in Sydney or Melbourne.

On the career front, the state is rapidly transforming. While it holds onto its strong roots in agriculture, wine, and manufacturing, SA is quickly becoming a national hub for defence, space technology (it's home to the Australian Space Agency), and green energy. If you're setting your sights on making SA your new home, take a few minutes to jump on our points calculator and see exactly where you stand.