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SA · 190 / 491 pathways

South Australia nomination guide

SA separates onshore candidates into graduate, skilled-employment and outer-regional pathways, while offshore candidates are selected directly from SkillSelect EOIs.

Checked 30 July 2026

2025–26 ROIs are closed pending the 2026–27 reopening

SA closed new ROIs on 2 June 2026. Current criteria below are for preparation until new-year pathways, occupations and priorities are published.

Offshore candidates do not lodge an ROI; they are selected directly from the SkillSelect EOI pool.

Official program source →
01

Identify the applicant category first

Pathway eligibility is more than an occupation title.

OnshoreGraduate

South Australian graduates

For graduates who complete eligible study and remain employed in SA.

  • CRICOS course of at least 46 weeks, with at least 75% completed in SA
  • Normally requires SA residence and relevant full-time post-study employment
OnshoreEmployment

Skilled employment in SA

For applicants already in nominated or closely related skilled employment in SA.

  • Employment, residence, occupational relationship and employer must all be checked
  • Salary, English, experience and skill level affect competitiveness
OnshoreOuter regional

Outer regional skilled employment

For candidates living and working in outer regional SA.

  • Generally requires at least nine consecutive months of residence and work
  • Generally at least 30 hours weekly, in related work at the appropriate skill level
OffshoreEOI selection

Offshore skilled candidates

SA directly identifies offshore talent from SkillSelect EOIs according to workforce needs.

  • No ROI; EOI details and state preference must be accurate
  • Generally at least three years' relevant skilled experience in the last five; some construction occupations may have a lower threshold
02

Invitation and ranking

Invitations are not first come, first served

What affects selection

  • Onshore ROIs consider English, experience, qualification/skill level, salary and employer assessment
  • Offshore EOIs also consider total points and SA industry demand
  • 2025–26 priorities included construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing
  • Only one ROI can be active and it cannot be edited after submission
Minimum eligibility is not an invitation

Occupation-list access, nomination eligibility, competitive selection and the federal visa decision are separate checks.

03

From EOI to visa

SA nomination process

01

Confirm the SA pathway and 190/491 eligibility for the occupation

02

Update SkillSelect EOI and place SA as first preference

03

Onshore: lodge one ROI; offshore: wait for direct EOI selection

04

Submit the nomination application within 14 days of invitation

05

After nomination, lodge the visa with Home Affairs

04

Pre-lodgement checks

Fees, deadlines and evidence must match the rules at invitation.

ROIFreeNot used offshore
190 nominationAUD $394Published SA fee
491 nominationAUD $394Published SA fee

Core evidence

  • Skills assessment, English, EOI and points evidence
  • Residence, payslips, contract and employer evidence for onshore pathways
  • Course length, SA study proportion and completion evidence for graduates

Official resources

SA skilled migrants ↗2026 closure update ↗
Plan with current evidence

Compare your occupation, location, employment and timing before choosing a nomination pathway.

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