South Australia Nomination | Skilled Visa 190 & 491

South Australia Nomination – Subclass 190

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent points-tested visa for eligible skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory.

South Australia nomination provides 5 additional points under the Australian skilled migration points test.

A successful subclass 190 applicant can live and work in South Australia as a permanent resident, subject to the applicable visa requirements.

General Subclass 190 Requirements

Applicants generally need to:

• Be under 45 years of age
• Have an eligible skilled occupation
• Hold a valid skills assessment
• Have at least Competent English
• Have at least 65 points, including applicable nomination points
• Have an active SkillSelect Expression of Interest
• Meet South Australia's nomination requirements
• Meet the Department of Home Affairs visa requirements
• Satisfy health and character requirements

These are general requirements only. Additional criteria can apply depending on your occupation and nomination stream.

South Australia Nomination – Subclass 491

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows eligible skilled migrants to live and work in South Australia for up to five years.

South Australian nomination provides 15 additional points under the skilled migration points test.

Subclass 491 is a provisional visa rather than a permanent visa. Eligible holders may potentially progress to the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) after meeting the relevant requirements.

General Subclass 491 Requirements

Applicants generally need to:

• Be under 45 years of age
• Have an eligible occupation
• Hold a valid skills assessment
• Have at least Competent English
• Have at least 65 points
• Have an active SkillSelect EOI
• Meet South Australian nomination requirements
• Meet the relevant regional requirements
• Satisfy health and character requirements

South Australia states that eligible 491 holders may potentially apply for subclass 191 after holding the 491 and meeting the applicable requirements, including the relevant regional requirements.

South Australia Skilled Occupation List

Your occupation is an important part of a South Australian nomination assessment.

South Australia maintains a Skilled Occupation List for its state nomination program.

The list identifies occupations that may be eligible for nomination and can include different eligibility depending on the applicant's circumstances and nomination stream.

An occupation appearing on the list does not automatically mean that an applicant qualifies for nomination.

You must also satisfy:

• The relevant visa requirements
• Skills assessment requirements
• English requirements
• State-specific criteria
• Stream-specific conditions
• Employment or residence requirements where applicable

South Australia advises applicants to check the current Skilled Occupation List before beginning an application.

South Australia Nomination Streams

South Australia provides different nomination options depending on an applicant's circumstances.

These can include pathways for:

• Skilled workers already living and working in South Australia
• South Australian graduates
• Skilled workers living in outer regional South Australia
• Skilled workers living offshore
• Other applicants who meet the requirements of the current state program

The available streams and criteria can change between program years.

Skilled Employment in South Australia

Applicants already living and working in South Australia may be considered under the Skilled Employment in South Australia stream.

For the published 2025–26 program, South Australia prioritised candidates in sectors including:

• Building and construction
• Defence
• Education
• Engineering
• Health
• Manufacturing

High-ranking candidates outside priority sectors may also be considered.

Depending on the occupation and circumstances, applicants may be considered for subclass 190 or subclass 491.

Applicants under this pathway generally need to:

• Be living and working in South Australia
• Have an eligible occupation
• Hold a positive skills assessment
• Have an active SkillSelect EOI
• Select South Australia as the first preferred state or territory
• Meet the applicable age requirement
• Satisfy the stream-specific employment requirements

South Australian Graduates

International graduates who have studied in South Australia may have access to state nomination opportunities.

South Australia uses a South Australian Graduates stream for eligible graduates who have achieved suitable employment outcomes.

For the published 2025–26 program, priority sectors included:

• Building and construction
• Defence
• Education
• Engineering
• Health
• Manufacturing

High-ranking candidates in other sectors may also be considered.

Eligibility depends on factors such as:

• Australian qualification
• South Australian study
• Occupation
• Employment
• Skills assessment
• English
• Points
• Visa status
• Current state nomination requirements

Outer Regional South Australia

Skilled migrants who are living and working in an outer regional area of South Australia may be able to consider the Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream.

Applicants generally need to:

• Have an active SkillSelect EOI
• Select South Australia as the first preferred state or territory
• Have an eligible nominated occupation
• Live and work in outer regional South Australia
• Meet the relevant age requirement
• Hold a suitable skills assessment
• Meet the applicable employment and nomination criteria

Depending on the occupation and applicant profile, the pathway may lead to consideration for subclass 190 or subclass 491.

Offshore Skilled Migration to South Australia

Skilled workers living outside Australia may also be considered for South Australian nomination.

The offshore pathway generally begins with a SkillSelect Expression of Interest.

South Australia reviews eligible offshore candidates and may invite selected applicants to apply for state nomination.

Importantly, offshore applicants do not submit a South Australian Registration of Interest (ROI). The SkillSelect EOI is used to indicate interest in South Australian nomination.

Expression of Interest – SkillSelect

The first step for many skilled migration applicants is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Australian Government's SkillSelect system.

Your EOI may include:

• Personal details
• Age
• Occupation
• Skills assessment
• English results
• Qualifications
• Skilled employment
• Australian employment
• Points
• Current location
• Visa preferences
• Partner information

South Australia uses the information in the EOI when considering applicants.

Your EOI should therefore be accurate and supported by appropriate evidence.

Registration of Interest – South Australia

For eligible onshore applicants, South Australia generally requires a Registration of Interest (ROI) through the Skilled & Business Migration portal.

The ROI is separate from your SkillSelect EOI.

A typical onshore process is:

Check Eligibility → SkillSelect EOI → South Australian ROI → Selection/Invitation → State Nomination Application → Home Affairs Visa Application

South Australia confirms that onshore applicants need to submit an ROI, while offshore applicants do not.

South Australia Nomination Process

Step 1 – Check Your Eligibility

Assess your:

• Age
• Occupation
• Qualifications
• Skills assessment
• English
• Employment
• Points
• Location
• Visa status

Step 2 – Check the Skilled Occupation List

Confirm that your occupation is currently eligible for the relevant South Australian pathway.

Step 3 – Submit a SkillSelect EOI

Create or update your EOI and select South Australia as your preferred state.

Step 4 – Submit an ROI if Required

If you are an eligible onshore applicant, submit your South Australian ROI through the relevant portal.

Offshore applicants generally do not submit an ROI.

Step 5 – Wait for Selection

South Australia reviews eligible candidates and conducts invitation activity according to its program settings.

Step 6 – Apply for State Nomination

If invited, submit your nomination application and supporting evidence through the South Australian application portal.

Step 7 – Receive Nomination

If South Australia approves your nomination, the nomination is provided to the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 8 – Apply for Your Visa

After receiving the relevant Home Affairs invitation, lodge your visa application within the required timeframe.

South Australia's published process follows these general stages for both 190 and 491 nomination pathways.

South Australia Nomination and Points

State nomination can increase your points score:

Subclass 190: +5 points

Subclass 491: +15 points

Applicants still need to meet the applicable minimum points threshold and all other visa requirements.

Meeting the minimum points requirement does not guarantee an invitation or state nomination.

South Australia assesses candidates according to its current program priorities and selection criteria.

South Australia Nomination Is Competitive

State nomination places are limited and South Australia can receive a significant number of applications and EOIs.

Invitation activity can depend on:

• Occupation
• Skills
• Qualifications
• English
• Work experience
• Points
• Employment
• Salary where relevant
• Applicant location
• Industry priorities
• State workforce needs
• Available nomination places

South Australia's invitation data demonstrates that selection can vary significantly between occupation groups and visa subclasses.

South Australia 190 Pathway to Permanent Residency

Subclass 190 is a permanent visa.

A potential pathway is:

Skills Assessment → English → SkillSelect EOI → SA ROI/Selection → State Nomination → Invitation → Subclass 190 → Permanent Residence

Applicants must continue to satisfy the relevant Home Affairs requirements at the time of visa application.

South Australia 491 Pathway to Permanent Residency

Subclass 491 is a provisional regional visa.

A potential long-term pathway is:

Skills Assessment → EOI → SA ROI/Selection → State Nomination → Subclass 491 → Meet Regional Requirements → Subclass 191 → Permanent Residence

South Australia states that subclass 491 can provide a pathway to permanent residency through subclass 191 after the applicable requirements are met.

A 491 nomination does not automatically guarantee a future 191 visa.

Commitment to South Australia

South Australia expects successful nominees to make a genuine commitment to the state.

Current South Australian nomination requirements state that applicants must commit to living and working in South Australia for at least two years after their visa is granted.

This state commitment should be considered before selecting South Australia as your preferred migration destination.

South Australia Nomination Documents

Depending on your pathway, you may need:

• Passport
• Skills assessment
• English test result
• Qualification certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Employment references
• Employment contract
• Payslips
• Superannuation evidence
• Tax documents
• Bank statements where relevant
• South Australian residential evidence
• Regional employment evidence
• Visa documents
• Evidence of South Australian study
• Evidence supporting your EOI and ROI claims

South Australia provides document checklists and expects applicants to provide evidence supporting their claims.

South Australia Nomination Fees

South Australia currently lists a state nomination application fee of $394 for both subclass 190 and subclass 491.

The Registration of Interest is currently listed as having no fee.

These are state nomination fees and are separate from any Australian Government visa application charges, skills assessment costs, English testing, medical examinations, police checks or professional fees.

Fees can change, so applicants should confirm the current amount before applying.

Important South Australia Nomination Rules

Applicants should understand that:

• State nomination is not a visa grant.
• South Australia can change its nomination requirements.
• Occupation lists can change.
• Program allocations are limited.
• An ROI does not guarantee selection.
• An EOI does not guarantee nomination.
• Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee an invitation.
• Applicants must provide evidence for their claims.
• South Australian nomination is not transferable to another state or territory.
• South Australia generally provides only one nomination per applicant, subject to its published rules.

Common South Australia Nomination Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

• Using an outdated occupation list
• Selecting an occupation that does not match their skills assessment
• Claiming unsupported points
• Providing inconsistent employment information
• Submitting an inaccurate EOI
• Failing to submit an ROI when required
• Submitting an ROI when applying offshore
• Ignoring stream-specific requirements
• Assuming 65 points guarantees nomination
• Assuming an occupation is eligible for both 190 and 491
• Using outdated program-year requirements
• Failing to prepare supporting documents
• Assuming state nomination guarantees a visa grant

Why Choose The Visa?

South Australian skilled migration can involve several pathways, and the most suitable option depends on your occupation, experience, qualifications, English, points, location and long-term plans.

The Visa can help assess:

• South Australia 190 eligibility
• South Australia 491 eligibility
• Occupation eligibility
• Skills assessment
• English requirements
• Points score
• Offshore nomination
• Onshore nomination
• South Australian graduate pathways
• Skilled employment pathways
• Outer regional opportunities
• Regional PR pathways
• Alternative state nomination options
• Employer-sponsored alternatives

Our Registered Migration Agent can help you understand your available options and develop a migration strategy based on your individual circumstances.

Get Your South Australia Nomination Assessment

Are you planning to migrate to South Australia through skilled migration?

Contact The Visa for a personalised assessment of your South Australia nomination and Australian skilled visa options.

Registered Migration Agent: Navneet Kaur
MARN: 2318181

Phone: +61 430 077 714
Email: [email protected]
Website: thevisa.com.au

South Australian skilled nomination is competitive and subject to current program settings, occupation requirements, available places and selection criteria. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation, nomination or visa grant.