🗺️ South Australia Skilled Nomination 2026–27: Who Can Apply Now and Who Has to Wait

Quick answer: South Australia reopened its General Skilled Migration program for 2026–27 on 22 October 2026. Right now, onshore candidates can lodge a Registration of Interest (ROI) only if they live and work in South Australia and their current visa expires by 31 January 2027. Offshore candidates don’t lodge an ROI at all — South Australia invites them directly from their SkillSelect EOI. If your visa expires after 31 January 2027, you can’t lodge an onshore ROI in this round, but you can still get ready. The rules below are current as of November 2026.

By Chun Qiu, Lawyer & Registered Migration Agent, HWC Legal Melbourne
Last updated: November 2026

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This guide explains what changed, who is eligible, how South Australia splits the 190 and 491 pathways, and what to do if you fall on the wrong side of the cut-off date.

📢 What South Australia announced for 2026–27

According to the official South Australian GSM program update (22 October 2026):

• Onshore ROIs are open only to eligible candidates living and working in South Australia whose current visa is due to expire by 31 January 2027.
• Offshore candidates do not submit an ROI. They need a current Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, and suitable candidates are invited directly.
• Priority sectors are building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing. High-ranking candidates in other sectors may still be considered.
• Everyone needs a current SkillSelect EOI. No EOI, no invitation.

At the time of writing, Home Affairs had not yet published the 2026–27 state and territory nomination allocations. For comparison, South Australia’s 2025–26 allocation was 1,350 places for the subclass 190 and 900 for the subclass 491. Places are limited by an annual quota, so meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an invitation.

🧭 Who can apply now — and who has to wait

Your situation	Can you act now?	What to do
Living and working in SA, visa expires on or before 31 Jan 2027	Yes – onshore ROI	Check your stream criteria, update your EOI, lodge the ROI
Living and working in SA, visa expires after 31 Jan 2027	Not in this round	Keep your EOI current, build your ROI evidence, watch for SA updates
Living overseas	Yes – via EOI only	Lodge or update your EOI with SA selected; no ROI needed
Living in Victoria or another state	Generally no for SA onshore streams	The onshore streams require you to live and work in SA; consider your own state’s program

The expiry-date filter prioritises people who are running out of time on their current visa. It isn’t a judgment on your profile. If you’re on a 485 or another temporary visa with more time left, your chance may come in a later round — but nothing has been announced yet, so plan for both outcomes.

📋 The South Australian streams at a glance

South Australia runs four skilled nomination streams: South Australian Graduates, Skilled Employment in South Australia, Outer Regional Skilled Employment, and Offshore. The two most relevant for onshore applicants are below.

1. South Australian Graduates

From the official South Australian Graduates stream page:

• Completed a CRICOS-registered course of at least 46 CRICOS weeks, with at least 75% of the qualification completed in South Australia.
• Lived in South Australia for at least one year while studying, and for at least the last 6 months.
• Worked full-time (at least 30 hours a week) for the last 6 months and currently employed full-time, in the same ANZSCO sub-major group as the nominated occupation. The skilled work must have started after you completed the course.

2. Skilled Employment in South Australia

From the official Skilled Employment in South Australia stream page:

• Lived in South Australia for at least the last 12 months.
• Worked for at least the last 12 months and currently employed full-time (at least 30 hours a week) in a job related to your nominated occupation, at the same skill level — generally the same ANZSCO sub-major group (the first two digits of the code).

Requirements common to the onshore streams

• Occupation eligible for your stream on the SA Skilled Occupation List
• Valid positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation
• At least Competent English
• At least 65 points, including state nomination points
• Under 45 when nomination is approved
• Active SkillSelect EOI with South Australia as your first preference

When ranking onshore ROIs, South Australia looks at English proficiency, years of skilled experience, skills and qualification level, salary and employer assessment.

⚖️ 190 or 491: how South Australia decides

The subclass 190 is a permanent visa. The subclass 491 is a provisional regional visa valid for up to five years, which can lead to permanent residence later through the subclass 191 if its conditions are met.

• 190: generally for candidates with skills and experience in a priority industry (construction, engineering, manufacturing, trades, health, education) whose occupation is 190-eligible.
• 491: generally for candidates in non-priority industries, or whose occupation is not 190-eligible.

South Australia lists a nomination fee of $394 for either the 190 or 491, and there is no fee to lodge an ROI. Home Affairs visa application charges are separate and are reviewed regularly — check the current amount on the Home Affairs website before you lodge.

🪜 Step-by-step: lodging an onshore ROI

1. Confirm your visa expiry date in VEVO. For this round it must be by 31 January 2027.
2. Check your occupation on the SA Skilled Occupation List for your stream and visa (190 or 491).
3. Check your skills assessment is valid and matches the occupation you are claiming.
4. Update your SkillSelect EOI — South Australia as first preference, with correct points, employment dates and English results.
5. Gather evidence of SA residence (lease, bills) and employment (contract, payslips, tax records, a reference letter showing 30+ hours a week).
6. Lodge the ROI through the Skilled and Business Migration portal.
7. If invited, apply for nomination, then lodge the visa application within the time allowed after your SkillSelect invitation.

❌ Common mistakes to avoid

• Claiming points you can’t prove. Points must be correct at the time of invitation. Over-claiming experience or English can lead to refusal.
• Counting part-time or unrelated work. SA requires full-time work (30+ hours a week) in a related occupation; weeks under 30 hours can break the period.
• Letting your EOI lapse or listing another state first. SA requires an active EOI with South Australia as first preference.
• Assuming nomination means a visa. Nomination is one step. Home Affairs still assesses health, character and every other visa criterion.
• Leaving visa planning too late. If your visa expires soon and you are not invited, you may need a different visa to stay lawfully. Get advice early.

⏳ If your visa expires after 31 January 2027

You can’t lodge an onshore SA ROI in this round. Practical steps:

• Keep your EOI active and your skills assessment and English test valid.
• Keep building full-time SA work history — it counts toward both eligibility and ranking.
• If you are on a 485, check your own visa timeline and conditions — our 485 Graduate Visa 2026 checklist covers the hard requirements.
• Look at other pathways in parallel: employer sponsorship (for example the subclass 482 Skills in Demand or 186), the 189, or regional options. Processing order also matters — see how Directions 121 and 122 rank skilled visa applications.
• Check the South Australian website regularly — states can change criteria during the program year.

Wondering whether your occupation is in shortage in South Australia or nationally? See our guide to Australia’s 2026 Occupation Shortage List — and why it is not the same as a visa list.

❓ Frequently asked questions

🤝 Talk to HWC Legal

State nomination rules change during the year and every profile is different. If you’d like us to check whether you meet South Australia’s 2026–27 criteria, or plan a back-up if your visa is about to expire, see our Melbourne visa lawyer services or contact us directly.

HWC Legal
Email: info@adjmigration.com
WeChat: service_au1
Phone: 0402 672 808
We speak English & Mandarin

This article is general information current as of November 2026, not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and need individual assessment.