Latest Analysis of South Australias 190 & 491 Invitation Round Outcomes

Key Takeaways Updated with May 2026

• South Australia issued 509 invitations in May 2026, including 295 for Subclass 190 and 214 for Subclass 491, showing a strong increase compared to earlier months and continued migration momentum.
• Total invitations for 2025–26 reached 2,615, with 1,606 (Subclass 190) and 1,009 (Subclass 491), confirming consistent and targeted state nomination activity across the program year.
• Health Professionals dominate invitations (141 in May alone), reflecting critical workforce shortages and priority alignment with Australia’s labour market needs.
• Construction, trades, and technical roles remain highly active, especially:
  • Construction Trades Workers (44 invitations)
  • Engineering, ICT & Science Technicians (38)
  • Automotive & Engineering Trades (40)
    These align with OSCA’s classification focus on skill-based workforce demand and infrastructure-driven occupations.
• ICT Professionals received 28 invitations in May, and over 237 invitations year-to-date, highlighting steady demand in tech—especially for roles like software engineers and support specialists.
• Professional occupations (Engineering, Business, HR, Marketing, Science) continue to receive invitations (e.g., 72 in May for engineering-related groups), but are highly competitive due to large applicant pools and strict selection criteria.
• According to the ABS OSCA framework, occupations are classified based on skill level and specialization, which directly influences migration selection and invitation patterns—meaning higher-skilled and shortage-aligned roles get priority.
• Subclass 491 continues to play a strategic role, particularly for regional workforce needs, with strong uptake in trades, technicians, and support occupations.
• Lower invitation numbers in some categories (e.g., hospitality, food trades) indicate reduced priority or tighter selection thresholds, not necessarily lack of eligibility.

Looking to secure a South Australia state nomination under the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa? The latest 2026 invitation data reveals a strong and consistent migration program, with South Australia issuing 509 invitations in May 2026 alone—including 295 for Subclass 190 and 214 for Subclass 491.

This brings the total invitations for the 2025–26 program year to 2,615, confirming steady monthly invitation rounds and a clear focus on priority occupations aligned with workforce shortages.

Strong Demand Across Key Sectors

South Australia continues to prioritise occupations that align with real labour shortages and infrastructure growth. Based on the latest invitation data:

• Health Professionals led the invitations, with 141 invites in May 2026, reflecting urgent demand for nurses, allied health professionals, and medical specialists.
• Construction and trade occupations remain highly targeted, including:
  • Construction Trades Workers (44 invitations)
  • Automotive & Engineering Trades Workers (40 invitations)
  • Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades
    These roles highlight ongoing shortages in infrastructure and skilled trades across the state.
• Engineering, ICT, and technical roles continue to perform strongly, with:
  • Engineering, ICT & Science Technicians (38 invitations)
  • ICT Professionals (28 invitations in May; 237 year-to-date)

Professional Occupations: High Opportunity, High Competition

Professional streams such as:

• Business, HR, and Marketing Professionals
• Engineering, Science, and Transport Professionals
• ICT and Digital Occupations

…continue to receive invitations (72 invitations in May 2026 for engineering-related groups alone). However, these categories remain highly competitive, often favouring applicants with:

• Higher points scores
• Relevant Australian experience
• Strong alignment with South Australia’s nomination criteria

Regional Visa (Subclass 491) Remains a Key Pathway

The Subclass 491 visa continues to play a crucial role, especially for:

• Trade workers
• Technicians
• Support and regional workforce occupations

With 214 invitations issued in May 2026, this pathway offers a strong alternative for candidates who may face tougher competition under Subclass 190.

‍Receiving an invitation in the context of Australia’s SkillSelect system allows you to lodge your visa application and pursue permanent residency. Keep your Expression of Interest (EOI) updated, track points thresholds, and monitor upcoming rounds to improve your chances.

This guide gives you everything you need to know about the November 2025 189 invitation round and helps you plan your next steps strategically.

Please Note: This article is intended as a general guide, with information accurate at the time of publication. For detailed, current advice specific to your situation, consult a registered migration agent or The Department of Home Affair.

Key Highlights of the May 2026 South Autalia 190 & 491 Invitation Round

The South Australia state nomination program remains a highly attractive pathway for skilled migrants aiming to live, work, and build long-term careers in Adelaide or the state’s regional areas. Through the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visas, eligible applicants can secure a nomination that significantly strengthens their permanent residency prospects.

As South Australia issues invitations based on labour-market priorities and state-specific skill needs, staying informed about the latest round outcomes is essential for planning your next steps.

Here’s an overview of the latest 2025 developments:

1. Invitation Timing and Updates

South Australia continued its regular invitation rounds in 2025, with December reflecting strong activity across both 190 and 491 pathways. These rounds showed clear shifts in state priorities, with adjustments in invitation volumes across trades, health, engineering, ICT and business professions. The state has indicated that monthly invitations will continue, reinforcing predictable opportunities throughout the program year.

2. Total Invitations Issued

A total of 509 invitations were issued in the May 2026 round, including 295 for subclass 190 and 21 for subclass 491, demonstrating the state’s balanced approach to both permanent and regional migration needs. Across the broader 2025–26 program year up to November, South Australia had already issued 402 invitations, highlighting consistent demand for skilled workers across priority sectors.

3. Priority Processing and EOI/ROI Positioning

South Australia continues to prioritise applicants whose EOIs or ROIs closely match its skilled occupation needs. Earlier submissions, stronger points profiles, and clear evidence of South Australia commitment often influence selection—especially in competitive fields like ICT, engineering, business and health.

4. Occupation Trends in the Latest Invitation Round

The most recent invitation round highlights strong and consistent demand across both professional and trade occupations in South Australia.

Health Professionals continue to dominate, with 141 invitations issued in May 2026, reflecting critical shortages in nurses, allied health practitioners, and medical specialists across the state.

Construction and trade occupations remain a major priority, including:

• Construction Trades Workers (44 invitations)
• Automotive & Engineering Trades Workers (40 invitations)
• Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades

These figures reinforce ongoing demand driven by infrastructure growth and skilled labour shortages.

Engineering, ICT, and technical occupations also show steady demand, with:

• Engineering, ICT & Science Technicians (38 invitations)
• ICT Professionals (28 invitations in May and 237 year-to-date)

Professional Occupations: Strong Demand, Higher Competition

Professional sectors such as:

• Business, HR, and Marketing
• Engineering, Science, and Transport
• ICT and Digital roles

…continue to receive invitations, with 72 invitations issued in May 2026 for engineering-related occupations alone.

However, these fields remain highly competitive, typically favouring applicants who demonstrate:

• Higher points scores
• Relevant Australian or closely aligned experience
• Strong alignment with South Australia’s nomination criteria

Subclass 491: A Strategic Pathway for Skilled Migrants

The Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visa continues to play a critical role, particularly for:

• Trade workers
• Technicians
• Regional and support occupations

With 214 invitations issued in May 2026, this pathway provides a valuable alternative for applicants who may face stronger competition under Subclass 190, while still offering a clear route toward permanent residency.

Overall, the data highlights strong engagement across the state’s essential services, technical trades and specialised professional fields.

‍5. Minimum Points and Competitiveness (General Trends)

While South Australia does not publish exact points cut-offs per role, the December pattern reflects broader trends:

• Trades & construction roles tend to be more accessible, often aligned with lower points thresholds.
• Health and education occupations show mid-range points competitiveness.
• ICT, engineering and scientific professions typically require higher points or strong state-specific ties to stand out.

Applicants aiming for 190 may need stronger profiles, while 491 offers additional pathways for those willing to live and work in regional South Australia.

6. Visa Categories Active in This Round

• Subclass 190 (State Nominated): Strong invitation numbers across construction, engineering, business, ICT and health sectors.
• Subclass 491 (Regional): Significant invitations for trades, health support, and ICT roles, with the pathway offering flexibility for applicants building regional ties.

Both visa categories continue to form the backbone of South Australia’s skilled migration strategy.

7. Changes Compared to Previous Years

Compared to earlier program years, the current round shows:

• A continued shift toward essential services, including health, community support, and education.
• Increased activity in construction and electrotechnology trades, driven by infrastructure growth.
• Competitive trends for ICT and engineering, where applicants may require superior points profiles or stronger evidence of SA employability.

These changes highlight the need for applicants to strengthen their EOIs, understand state priorities, and align their skills with high-demand sectors.

Points Requirements and Cut-Offs Insights in the 2025 South Australia 190 & 491 Invitation Round

South Australia’s nomination program considers a combination of points scores, state priorities, and applicant suitability when issuing invitations. While exact points cut-offs are not published for each occupation, the December 2025 invitation round reveals clear trends that help applicants understand the competitiveness of their field.

General Points Trends:

Applicants nominated under the SA 190 program typically held stronger points profiles, supported by factors such as work experience, English proficiency, and qualifications aligned with South Australia’s labour needs. For many professional, health and ICT occupations, competitive points sit well above the minimum 65, especially where demand is moderate and applicant numbers are high. Meanwhile, the 491 pathway provided opportunities for applicants with slightly lower points or emerging ties to the state’s regional areas.

High-Demand Occupations:

Occupation groups with strong regional demand—such as construction trades, electrotechnology trades, automotive engineering trades, health professionals, and business specialists—received a significant share of invitations. In these areas, competitiveness depends less on exceptionally high points and more on meeting South Australia’s employability and eligibility requirements, such as having recent work experience or demonstrating clear commitment to living and working in the state.

Lower Threshold Occupations:

Trade-related occupations were among the most accessible pathways in South Australia. Construction, electrotechnology, and mechanical trades consistently showed strong invitation numbers in December 2025, reflecting the state’s infrastructure growth and industry shortages. Applicants in these sectors often succeeded with mid-range points, provided they met licensing, experience, and employability criteria.

Competitiveness in Professional Streams:

Professional roles in engineering, ICT, science, education, business, HR and marketing tended to favour applicants with higher points or strong evidence of South Australian ties. These occupations remain active, but applicants face higher competition due to the volume of EOIs/ROIs submitted across these fields.

EOI/ROI Positioning and Timing:

When applicants presented similar profiles, priority often went to those with earlier and more complete EOIs or ROIs, especially in popular occupations. This highlights the importance of updating your expression promptly whenever you gain new qualifications, work experience, or improved English scores.

If your current points are not competitive for your occupation category, you may strengthen your profile by improving English test results, gaining additional skilled experience, completing higher-level or South Australian qualifications, or targeting roles with stronger demand in the state.

In the next section, we’ll look at how different occupation groups performed in South Australia’s 2025 invitation rounds.

Also Read: Partner Visa Process and Requirements – Australian Immigration Lawyers

How Different Occupations Fared in the South Australia 190 & 491 Round?

Different occupation groups showed varying levels of activity in South Australia’s December 2025 invitation round, reflecting the state’s workforce priorities across trade, technical, health and professional sectors. Three clear patterns emerged from the data:

1. Engineering, ICT & Technical Professions

Engineering, ICT, science and technical professional groups recorded strong and consistent activity. While these occupations remain in demand, they tend to be more competitive, with invitations often going to applicants who demonstrate higher points, strong employability evidence, or ties to South Australia such as local work experience or recent study. Sub-major groups such as Design, Engineering, Science & Transport Professionals (23) and ICT Professionals (26) received meaningful invitation numbers in both 190 and 491 streams, confirming ongoing demand for specialists in these fields.

2. Healthcare & Community Services

Health professionals and health support workers continued to feature prominently in both interim and December rounds. Occupations represented within Health Professionals (25) and Health & Welfare Support Workers (41) received a mix of 190 and 491 invitations, reflecting the state’s long-term shortages in hospitals, aged care, allied health and community service sectors. These roles tend to attract applicants with mid-to-strong points profiles, especially those living or working in South Australia.

3. Trades & Construction Occupations

Trades remained the most consistently invited stream in South Australia’s program. Groups such as Construction Trades Workers (33), Electrotechnology & Telecommunications Trades Workers (34), and Automotive & Engineering Trades Workers (32) saw some of the highest invitation numbers in December 2025. These occupations typically do not require extremely high points; instead, invitations are driven by state shortages, practical skill requirements and employer demand—making trades one of the most accessible pathways for both 190 and 491.

Together, these trends show a balanced distribution across skilled trades, essential services, advanced technical roles and professional occupations. Applicants in high-demand sectors such as health, trades and engineering have strong prospects, while those in business and ICT sectors should focus on improving points, strengthening SA ties and aligning with state-specific selection criteria.

Invitations issued - May 2026

Below you will find the relevant data for the invitations issued in May 2026:

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(Note: This table highlights the main occupation groups that received invitations in South Australia’s May 2026 round. Other eligible occupations generally followed similar invitation patterns based on state priorities and applicant competitiveness.)

How to Improve Your Chances

To increase your chances of getting a 189 visa invitation, you can focus on improving your English skills, gaining more work experience, or studying in regional areas. Earning higher-level qualifications or working in high-demand occupations can also raise your points and make your EOI stronger in upcoming rounds.

Also Read: Age Limit Requirements for Student Visa in Australia 2025

Key Insights for South Australia 190 & 491 Applicants in 2025

What do South Australia’s 190 and 491 invitation outcomes mean for you in 2025? Whether you are waiting for a nomination or preparing your EOI or ROI, understanding how the state is selecting applicants can help you plan more effectively.

Applicants With Strong Profiles:
If you have a competitive points score and meet South Australia’s work, study or employability criteria, ensure your EOI/ROI is fully updated. SA regularly invites applicants in high-demand sectors such as trades, health, ICT and engineering, and strong profiles often progress faster.

Applicants With Moderate Points:
If your points are not at the higher end, focus on strengthening your profile through better English scores, additional skilled work experience, or completing qualifications that align with South Australia’s occupation requirements. Demonstrating genuine ties to the state — such as living, studying or working in SA — can significantly improve your eligibility.

Applicants in Lower-Demand or Competitive Occupations:
For occupations with fewer invitations, consider leveraging the 491 pathway, which often provides more opportunities than the 190 stream. Alternatively, exploring employer sponsorship or looking at other states’ requirements may open additional routes toward permanent residency.

Stay Updated:
South Australia’s nomination criteria, occupation lists and invitation patterns can change throughout the program year. Regularly checking for updates and adjusting your strategy accordingly will help you stay ahead and respond quickly when new opportunities arise.

Understanding these insights enables you to tailor your approach and maximise your success, but what can applicants expect from future South Australia invitation rounds in 2025–26? Let’s take a closer look.

What to Expect in Future South Australia 190 & 491 Invitation Rounds

Future invitation rounds in South Australia are expected to follow the same demand trends seen in the December 2025 results and interim data, with clear patterns emerging across key sectors.

Healthcare & Community Services:
With 95 interim health professional invitations and 20 invitations for health support workers in December, SA is likely to continue prioritising nurses, allied health and welfare roles across both 190 and 491 streams due to ongoing workforce shortages.

Trades & Technical Occupations:
Trades remain one of SA’s strongest and most accessible pathways. High volumes such as 28 construction trades invitations, 27 electrotechnology trades invitations, and 9 automotive and engineering trades invitations in December suggest continued strong demand driven by infrastructure and regional development.

ICT, Engineering & Professional Occupations:
Competitive occupations like ICT and engineering will likely require stronger points or SA ties. The data shows 23 invitations for engineering/science/transport professionals, 16 in ICT, and 24 in business/HR/marketing in the December round, indicating sustained demand—but higher competition.

Regular Monthly Rounds:
With 587 total invitations issued so far this program year (402 interim + 185 December), applicants can expect South Australia to maintain steady monthly nomination activity. Keeping EOIs/ROIs updated will be essential as selections continue to move quickly.

By aligning your profile with high-demand clusters, improving points, and strengthening South Australia commitment, you can position yourself effectively for upcoming 190 and 491 rounds in the 2025–26 program year.

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