On 24 November, South Australia officially opened the Registration of Interest (ROI) for onshore applicants. With massive changes to quotas, occupation lists, and eligibility rules, the 2025–26 program is one of the most competitive years we have seen.
If you are planning to apply for SA 190 or SA 491, this guide summarises everything you need to know—what stays the same, what has changed, and what it means for your chances.
What Stays the Same in 2025–26
South Australia has retained the same overall visa nomination framework as previous years. This means:
✔ Four Nomination Streams Remain
- SA Graduate Stream
- SA Skilled Employment Stream
- Outer Regional Employment Stream
- Offshore Stream
✔ ROI vs EOI System Continues
- Onshore applicants: Must lodge an ROI
- Offshore applicants: Continue submitting EOIs through SkillSelect
✔ Pre-Requirements Still Apply
You must meet the relevant entry requirements, which typically include:
- SA residence periods
- SA study requirements
- Skilled employment related to your nominated occupation
What Changed in 2025–26 (Major Updates)
This is where things get serious. South Australia introduced several important policy adjustments:
1️⃣ New Pre-Requirement Rules
Including:
- Updated study proportion requirements
- Clarified residence periods
- Related skilled work must now be post-qualification
2️⃣ Priority Industries Are Clearly Defined
SA has listed specific priority sectors (details below), which will strongly influence who receives an invitation.
3️⃣ Occupation List Updates — Many Popular Jobs Become 491-Only
A number of high-volume occupations have shifted away from 190 eligibility. Examples now 491-only include:
- Accountant
- Chef / Cook
- Motor Mechanic
- Marketing Specialist
This change alone will significantly reduce 190 competition in lower-priority fields.
📉 The Quota Shock: Biggest Change of the Year
The quota announcement is the most dramatic update for 2025–26:
| Visa | 2024–25 | 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|
| 190 | 3,000 | 1,350 |
| 491 | 800 | 900 |
Key takeaways:
- 190 quota dropped by more than 55%
- 491 increased slightly
- Total SA allocation dropped by 40.79%
🛑 What This Means
- 190 becomes extremely competitive—likely reserved for top-tier applicants
- 491 becomes the new main pathway, not just a backup option
🧭 Understanding the Four Pathways
Here is a quick overview of each stream and what SA expects:
👩🎓 1. SA Graduate Stream
- Completed eligible SA study
- 6 months full-time post-qualification skilled employment
👨🔧 2. SA Skilled Employment Stream
- At least 12 months full-time skilled work in SA
🏞️ 3. Outer Regional Stream
- Live and work in outer regional SA for approximately 9 months
✈️ 4. Offshore Stream
- Submit an EOI, choose SA as first preference
- Invitations issued based on competitiveness
🏗️ Priority Industries
South Australia has now clearly outlined its priority industries, which will heavily influence invitation patterns:
Priority Sectors 2025–26
- Building & Construction
- Defence
- Health
- Education
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
Applicants in these sectors will generally receive stronger consideration, especially for 190.
🎯 How SA Selects Candidates
▶ Onshore ROI Selection
No fixed ranking order. SA considers:
- English level
- Skilled experience
- Qualification level
- Salary level
- Employer quality & stability
- Industry alignment
Points do not matter for onshore applicants.
▶ Offshore EOI Selection
Clear ranking order:
- English
- Skilled experience
- Education
- EOI points
Offshore candidates must remain competitive against other global applicants in their occupation group.
🔎 Final Takeaways: What Applicants Should Expect
① 190 Is Now Small and Elite
With only 1,350 seats statewide, 190 will favour:
- High-demand priority occupations
- Strong English
- High salary
- Substantial SA experience
② 491 Is the Main Pathway
If you’re open to:
- Working in regional SA
- Changing industry
- Targeting priority sectors
→ you’ll enjoy far better opportunities under 491.
📌 What You Should Do Next
Because of the quota cut and occupation reshuffle, strategy is now more important than ever. If you want personalised advice on:
- Whether you still qualify for SA nomination
- Which pathway gives you the highest chance
- Whether you should consider employer sponsorship (482 / 186 / 494 / DAMA)
- Whether 491 is a viable pathway for your occupation
- Whether partner visa is a safer alternative
Feel free to reach out—I’m happy to help assess your situation and map out the strongest pathway.
