South Australia Issues 364 Invitations – South Australia has once again stepped up its efforts to bridge critical workforce gaps across the state, releasing a fresh batch of invitations under its skilled migration program for the 2025–26 financial year. If you’ve been watching your inbox and waiting for movement on your Expression of Interest (EOI), this latest round brings encouraging news — particularly for professionals in healthcare, engineering, and construction.
What Happened in the February 2026 Round?
On February 3, 2026, the South Australian Skilled & Business Migration office dispatched a total of 364 invitations to prospective migrants who had registered their interest through SkillSelect. The round covered two distinct visa pathways:
Sub class 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa: 227 Invitations This is the permanent residency route that most skilled migrants aspire to. With a state nomination under subclass 190, applicants gain a direct pathway to settle in Australia without the waiting period associated with provisional visas.
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa: 137 Invitations Designed for those willing to live and work in regional South Australia, this provisional visa grants a five-year stay. After completing three years of residence and employment in the region, holders become eligible to apply for permanent residency — making it a highly practical stepping stone for many applicants. Keep in mind 491 visa requirements.
Which Professions Were in Demand?
The state’s invitation priorities paint a clear picture of where South Australia is experiencing the most acute shortages. Here’s how the numbers broke down across occupation categories:
| Occupation Group | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| Health Professionals | 95 |
| Design, Engineering & Science | 68 |
| ICT Professionals | 38 |
| Construction Trades | 35 |
| Education Professionals | 22 |
| Business & Marketing | 17 |
Health professionals took the top spot — a reflection of the ongoing demand in hospitals, clinics, and aged care services across the state. Engineering and science roles followed closely, driven largely by South Australia’s growing reputation as a hub for defence and aerospace projects. ICT professionals also featured strongly, reinforcing the state’s digital transformation agenda.
Why Timing Matters More Than Ever
Here’s the part that every aspiring migrant needs to read carefully.
South Australia started the 2025–26 program year with a set annual quota of invitations. By the time the February round concluded, the state had already extended 1,295 invitations — meaning roughly 70% of the yearly allocation has already been used up, and we’re only seven months into the financial year.
Put simply: the remaining spots are filling fast.
There is no guarantee that your occupation will remain open until the end of the financial year. The state government has made it clear that individual occupation ceilings can be reached without prior notice, and some roles may be suspended mid-year if the demand-supply balance shifts. This isn’t a scare tactic — it’s the reality of how state-sponsored migration programs operate.
What Makes South Australia’s Requirements Unique?
Unlike the federal government’s standard benchmarks, South Australia often applies higher English language scores and more stringent work experience requirements for certain sectors, especially ICT and Hospitality. Many applicants make the mistake of assuming that meeting the minimum federal requirements is enough — only to find that their EOI doesn’t score competitively enough to receive an invitation.
This is where professional guidance becomes invaluable.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If you are working in healthcare, engineering, trades, or any of the other priority occupations listed above, the message is straightforward: don’t wait.
With approximately 30% of the quota remaining and several more monthly rounds expected before June 2026, the window is still open — but it won’t stay that way for long.
Here’s what we recommend as immediate steps:
- Review your occupation against the current South Australian skilled occupation list Australia to confirm eligibility.
- Check your EOI score and identify areas where you can improve it — English test results, additional qualifications, and relevant work experience all play a role.
- Ensure your profile is updated on SkillSelect with accurate and complete information.
- Seek professional advice before submitting or updating your EOI, especially if you have worked across multiple countries or have any gaps in your employment history.
How Shri Krishna Education & Immigration Consultants Can Help
Navigating the Australian skilled migration landscape is rarely straightforward. Between understanding which visa suits your profile, meeting state-specific requirements, and crafting a competitive EOI, there are countless details that can make or break your application.
At Shri Krishna Consultants, our experienced migration advisors work with applicants both in India and overseas to develop a strategy tailored to their specific profile and career background. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach — every applicant has a unique story, and your visa pathway should reflect that.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or are already registered on SkillSelect and waiting for that invitation, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
Get in touch with us today for a comprehensive evaluation of your eligibility and a clear roadmap to your Australian migration journey.
Disclaimer: Immigration rules and round statistics are subject to change. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute formal migration advice. Please consult a registered migration agent for guidance specific to your situation.
FAQs
Which skilled worker is in demand in Australia?
The most in-demand skilled workers are Registered Nurses, General Practitioners, Electricians, Software Engineers, Civil Engineers, Cybersecurity Specialists, Teachers, Plumbers, Construction Managers, and Aged Care Workers. Healthcare, trades, and technology consistently dominate Australia’s skill shortage lists.
Which occupation is best for PR in Australia?
Registered Nurse is widely considered the best overall, due to critical nationwide shortages and strong state nomination across all states. Electrician, Civil Engineer, Software Engineer, and Early Childhood Teacher are also top choices as they appear consistently on the MLTSSL, offering direct independent PR pathways.
Which skill is in high demand in Australia?
The highest demand skills are in healthcare (nursing, aged care), construction and trades (electrical, plumbing, carpentry), information technology (cybersecurity, software development, cloud computing), engineering (civil, mechanical), and education (early childhood and secondary teaching). Trades and technical roles have the lowest fill rate nationally at just 55.5%.
How many years from 482 to PR?
Under the updated 2025 rules, 482 visa holders can apply for PR via the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) after just 2 years of continuous full-time work with the same sponsoring employer, reduced from the previous 3-year requirement. You must be under 45 at the time of applying and meet English requirements of IELTS 6.0 in each band.
What is the migration update for Australia 2025–2026?
The permanent migration program remains at 185,000 places, with 132,200 going to the skilled stream. Key changes include a new Talent & Innovation visa, the Skills in Demand (SID) visa replacing the TSS 482, reduced Skilled Independent (189) places, and the Temporary Graduate Visa age limit cut to 35. Student visa intake is rising to 295,000 in 2026.
Is South Australia open for a 491 visa?
Yes. South Australia has 900 nomination places for the 491 visa in 2025–26. Onshore applicants must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI), while offshore applicants are invited directly from their SkillSelect EOI. Monthly invitation rounds are ongoing.
Who is eligible for a skilled migration visa in Australia?
You generally need an occupation on Australia’s skilled occupation list, a positive skills assessment, at least 65 points on the points test, competent English (IELTS 6.0+), and be under 45 years of age. Points are earned through age, English level, work experience, qualifications, and Australian study.
Why is a 491 visa taking so long?
The 491 visa typically takes 21 to 28 months for 90% of applications to be finalised. Delays are mainly caused by high application volumes, state nomination verification, health and police check requirements, and incomplete documentation. Offshore applications also tend to take longer than onshore ones.
