A reported South Australia skilled migration reopening is set for 26 August 2026, with a 4 August 2026 update also signalling a new State Nomination Occupation List. As at the time of writing, these settings have not been independently confirmed on migration.sa.gov.au. Digest #021 records the source as a South Australian Government press release and marks the reported reopen date, the State Nomination Occupation List, the subclass 491 onshore-only rule, and the international-graduate priority as unverified unless and until Migration SA confirms them directly. If you are preparing a skilled visa lodgement, verify the 26 August 2026 date, the occupation list, the subclass 491 onshore-only rule, and the international-graduate priority on migration.sa.gov.au before lodging. For wider Australian skilled migration context, Tasmania published its 2,050-place 2026-27 allocation on 5 August 2026, while South Australia published the first reopen date of the FY2026-27 cycle.
Draft. Not published. Information checked on 22 August 2026.
South Australia skilled migration applicants are watching 26 August closely as they plan their next skilled visa steps.
The reported reopening may create new opportunities for applicants targeting South Australia skilled migration pathways such as:
- SA 190 nomination.
- SA 491 nomination.
- The subclass 190 visa.
- The skilled work regional visa 491.
There is one important caution.
The reported date and proposed South Australia skilled migration settings have not yet been independently confirmed on the official Migration SA website.
Prepare now.
Do not lodge based only on a secondary report. Rules can change. Lists can change. Dates can move. Unfortunately, migration planning does not always follow the calendar.
What is officially verified?
Migration SA confirms that South Australia has a Skilled Occupation List for state nomination under subclasses 190 and 491 as part of its South Australia skilled migration program.
The official South Australia skilled migration process also confirms that applicants must:
- Check the relevant occupation list.
- Review the nomination streams.
- Prepare supporting documents.
- Submit a SkillSelect Expression of Interest.
- Select South Australia as the preferred state.
- Complete the relevant South Australian process.
For onshore applicants, the current process refers to a Registration of Interest through the South Australian Apply Portal.
For offshore applicants, the official process states that an ROI is not required. Offshore applicants may be considered through their SkillSelect EOI.
Read the official South Australia state nomination process.
The Department of Home Affairs confirms the federal requirements for both skilled visa pathways.
Applicants generally need:
- An eligible skilled occupation.
- A suitable skills assessment.
- At least competent English.
- An invitation to apply.
- At least 65 points.
- Health and character clearance.
- Evidence supporting every EOI claim.
Read the official subclass 190 requirements and subclass 491 requirements.
What is reportedly changing?
The reported 2026-27 South Australia skilled migration settings include several important points for SA 190 nomination and SA 491 applicants.
These remain unconfirmed until Migration SA publishes them directly.
A new State Nomination Occupation List
The reported State Nomination Occupation List is expected to align with the Core Skills Occupation List, commonly called the CSOL.
It is reportedly linked to around 450 occupations.
This does not mean every CSOL occupation will automatically qualify for South Australian nomination.
South Australia may still apply its own:
- Occupation settings.
- Stream requirements.
- Work experience rules.
- English requirements.
- Employment conditions.
- Residence requirements.
- Priority categories.
- Invitation limits.
Check the final SA State Nomination Occupation List before relying on your occupation for South Australia skilled migration.
Your job title is not enough.
Your actual duties must also match the nominated occupation.
A reported onshore-only subclass 491 pathway
The report states that South Australia’s SA 491 pathway may be restricted to applicants living in South Australia.
If confirmed, offshore applicants may not be able to seek SA nomination for the 491 pathway under that setting.
This would make residence evidence important.
Potential evidence may include:
- A current lease.
- Utility bills.
- Payslips.
- Employment records.
- Bank statements.
- Tax records.
- Documents showing continuous residence.
A short visit to Adelaide will not necessarily prove residence.
Wait for the final SA wording.
Reported international-graduate priority
The reported settings also refer to priority for international graduates.
This may benefit eligible graduates who studied in South Australia. However, the exact definition has not been confirmed.
You may need to check:
- Your education provider.
- Your course level.
- Your course duration.
- Your campus location.
- Your graduation date.
- Your current visa.
- Your employment.
- Your nominated occupation.
Do not assume that every graduate will qualify.
The term “international graduate” can have a specific meaning in a state nomination program.
What does this mean for subclass 190 applicants?
The subclass 190 visa is a permanent skilled visa and a common pathway toward permanent residency Australia.
A successful SA 190 nomination supports the federal invitation process. State nomination adds 5 points under the points test.
It does not automatically grant permanent residence.
The process normally involves:
- A valid SkillSelect EOI.
- South Australian nomination.
- An invitation from Home Affairs.
- Visa lodgement through ImmiAccount.
- Assessment of the complete visa application.
The Department confirms that a subclass 190 visa applicant must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
You must also prove the points claimed in your EOI.
The reported South Australian commitment for subclass 190 is 2 years living and working in South Australia after visa grant.
Treat this as a commitment to verify against the final 2026-27 SA guidelines.
A subclass 190 visa is permanent. It does not impose a federal regional residence restriction after grant. However, the state nomination commitment remains important.
What does this mean for SA 491 applicants?
The subclass 491 visa is a provisional skilled work regional visa, also known as the skilled work regional visa 491.
SA 491 nomination adds 15 points under the points test.
The visa allows eligible applicants to live, work and study in a designated regional area for up to five years. It may provide a pathway to permanent residence through subclass 191, subject to the relevant requirements.
The reported SA settings may restrict nomination to applicants currently residing in South Australia.
That point is not confirmed yet.
Adelaide is classified as a designated regional area by the Department of Home Affairs for subclass 491 purposes.
This is useful for Adelaide-based applicants. It does not remove the need to meet South Australia’s own nomination requirements.
The reported South Australian commitment for subclass 491 is 3 years living and working in a regional area.
Check the final state rules before making a decision.
A 491 holder must also comply with federal regional visa conditions. This includes living, working and studying in a designated regional area, as required by the visa.
State nomination is not a visa grant
This distinction matters.
State nomination supports the next stage in Australian skilled migration. It does not grant a visa.
For subclass 190:
- Nomination adds 5 points.
- Home Affairs may issue an invitation.
- You must lodge within 60 calendar days of the invitation.
- You must prove your EOI claims.
- You must satisfy all visa criteria.
For subclass 491:
- Nomination adds 15 points.
- Home Affairs may issue an invitation.
- You must lodge within 60 calendar days of the invitation.
- You must meet the regional visa requirements.
- You must prove your EOI claims.
The 60-day period applies after the federal invitation.
It is separate from the South Australian nomination deadline.
Do not wait until the final week.
What should applicants check now?
Use the reported reopening as a preparation trigger for your South Australia skilled migration planning.
Do not use it as proof that you are eligible.
Check your SkillSelect EOI
Make sure your EOI is active.
Check that it:
- References the correct nominated occupation.
- Selects the correct visa subclass.
- Lists South Australia as the preferred state.
- Shows your current passport details.
- Includes accurate employment history.
- Includes accurate qualifications.
- Reflects your current relationship status.
- Shows the correct English result.
- Claims only points you can prove.
An EOI is not a visa application for a subclass 190 visa or subclass 491 visa.
It does not provide a bridging visa.
Confirm your skills assessment
Check the assessing authority.
Check the expiry date.
Check that the assessment matches your nominated occupation.
Home Affairs generally requires a suitable assessment at the time of invitation. The assessment must also meet the applicable validity rules.
Do not rely on an expired letter.
A small date issue can create a serious problem.
Review your English test
Check whether your English result remains valid for the relevant stage.
Competent English is generally the minimum federal requirement. Proficient or Superior English may provide additional points.
If your test is close to expiry, plan carefully.
Prepare SA residence evidence
This is especially important if the reported onshore-only SA 491 setting is confirmed.
Collect evidence showing where you live and work.
Keep documents in date order.
Make sure names, addresses and dates are consistent.
Review your settlement commitment
Before pursuing nomination, make sure the skilled visa pathway fits your plans.
The reported commitments are:
- Subclass 190: 2 years in South Australia.
- Subclass 491: 3 years in a regional area.
Adelaide is a designated regional area for federal subclass 491 purposes. You must still follow the final South Australian requirements.
Budget for visa costs
From 1 July 2026, the visa application charge for the primary applicant is AUD 6,140 for both:
- Subclass 190.
- Subclass 491.
Additional applicant charges may apply.
Other costs may include:
- Skills assessment fees.
- English test fees.
- Health examinations.
- Police certificates.
- Biometrics.
- Translation costs.
- Professional fees.
Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging.
Check these official sources
Use the official websites directly:
- Migration SA
- Migration SA occupation lists
- Migration SA application process
- Home Affairs subclass 190
- Home Affairs subclass 491
- Home Affairs SkillSelect
- Home Affairs designated regional areas
Look for the official 2026-27 announcement.
Then check the occupation list.
Then read the stream-specific requirements.
Do not rely on social media posts, screenshots or another agent’s summary alone.
General information disclaimer
This article is general information only. It is not migration advice or legal advice. The reported South Australia reopening date, occupation list, subclass 491 onshore-only restriction and international-graduate priority were not independently confirmed on migration.sa.gov.au at the time of writing.
Migration rules and state nomination settings can change without notice. Your eligibility depends on your personal circumstances and the rules applying when you are invited and lodge. Obtain professional advice before making a visa or nomination decision. If your circumstances are complex, talk to a registered migration agent in Adelaide, or an immigration lawyer in Adelaide where legal input is needed.
Learn More
Want to check whether your occupation, points, documents and South Australian pathway are ready? Our team of migration agents based in Adelaide supports skilled migration applicants across Australia, and we will happily explain when free migration advice is enough and when a full consultation is the safer option.
Book a consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Australia Skilled Migration reopening on 26 August 2026?
The date has been reported as 26 August 2026. At the time of writing, it has not been independently confirmed on the official Migration SA website. Check migration.sa.gov.au before relying on the date.
What is the reported new State Nomination Occupation List?
The reported list is expected to align with the CSOL and cover approximately 450 occupations. The final list and requirements must be confirmed through Migration SA.
Can offshore applicants apply for SA subclass 491 nomination?
The reported setting suggests that the SA 491 pathway may be restricted to applicants currently living in South Australia. This remains unconfirmed. Check the final 2026-27 state guidelines.
How many points does state nomination add?
State nomination adds 5 points for subclass 190 and 15 points for subclass 491. You must still meet the points test and every other visa requirement.
How long do I have to lodge after receiving an invitation?
Home Affairs gives invited applicants 60 calendar days to lodge the visa application. This deadline cannot generally be extended.
Is Adelaide regional for subclass 491?
Yes. The Department of Home Affairs lists Adelaide as a designated regional area for subclass 491 purposes. You must still comply with federal visa conditions and South Australia’s nomination requirements.
Is state nomination the same as visa approval?
No. State nomination supports the federal invitation process. You must receive an invitation and lodge a separate visa application. Home Affairs then assesses your visa application.