South Australia Skilled Migration 2026: 344 to 509 Invitations — Complete Round-by-Round Results for Subclass 190 & 491

South Australia has been one of the most active states in Australia's 2025–26 skilled migration programme — issuing invitations every single month from January through May 2026, with totals rising from 344 in January to 509 in May. For Indian skilled professionals targeting Australian PR via Subclass 190 or the regional pathway via Subclass 491, South Australia remains the most consistent and accessible state nomination option in 2026. This page covers every invitation round from January to May 2026 — occupation-by-occupation, subclass-by-subclass — so you know exactly where you stand and what to do before the 2026–27 program year begins on 1 July 2026.

South Australia Invitation Round Tracker: January–May 2026 (All Rounds)

Here is the complete month-by-month invitation data for South Australia in 2025–26:

Key insight: Invitations have risen steadily every month — from 344 in January to 509 in May. The May 2026 round was confirmed as the final scheduled round of 2025–26, though SA may issue additional invitations before 30 June 2026 to utilise remaining nomination places.

Total 2025–26 SA allocation:

• Subclass 190: 1,350 places (+150 from original)
• Subclass 491: 900 places (+250 from original)

Overview of Invitations Issued

South Australia invitation round 2026 highlights the state’s continued demand for skilled migrants across healthcare, engineering, ICT and education sectors.
In the first invitation round of the new migration year:

• 235 invitations were issued under Subclass 190, which offers a direct pathway to Australian permanent residence.
• 109 invitations were issued under Subclass 491, a regional visa that can lead to permanent residency after meeting eligibility requirements.

The round focused strongly on regional workforce needs, particularly in industries facing ongoing skills shortages.

By May 2026 — the final scheduled round — South Australia had scaled up to 509 invitations in a single month: 295 under Subclass 190 and 214 under Subclass 491. This represents a 48% increase from the January round, confirming SA's strong commitment to skilled migration throughout 2025–26.

Which Professions Received Invitations?

The invitations were distributed across a wide range of occupations, with a strong emphasis on healthcare and technical roles.

In January 2026, the following professions received invitations:

• Health professionals – 69 invitations
• Design, engineering, science and transport professionals – 63 invitations
• ICT professionals – 33 invitations
• Construction trades workers – 30 invitations
• Engineering, ICT and science technicians – 25 invitations
• Education professionals – 22 invitations
• Specialist managers – 21 invitations
• Business, human resource and marketing professionals – 16 invitations

Additional invitations were also issued to candidates from automotive trades, electrotechnology, food trades, agriculture, welfare support services and administrative roles.

May 2026 Round: Which Occupations Were Invited? (Final Round of 2025–26)

The May 21, 2026 round — the final scheduled round of the 2025–26 program year — issued 509 invitations across multiple occupation groups:

Key pattern in May 2026:

1. Healthcare dominates Subclass 190 — permanent PR
2. ICT professionals are primarily in Subclass 491 (regional workforce focus)
3. Construction and Engineering saw a significant jump vs January round
4. Total invitations rose 48% from January to May

Priority Sectors in the 2025–26 Migration Programme

South Australia has clearly outlined its priority areas for the 2025–26 migration year. The first round focused on:

• Healthcare and medical professions, including nurses, doctors, allied health workers and aged care professionals
• Engineering occupations, such as civil, mechanical and electrical engineers
• Education roles, including teachers, lecturers, researchers and academic staff
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) roles, such as software developers, system analysts and IT specialists

These sectors are expected to remain in high demand throughout the year.

Will There Be More Invitation Rounds?

South Australia confirmed monthly invitation rounds throughout 2025–26 — and delivered on that promise with rounds in January, February, March, April, and May 2026.

The May 21, 2026 round was officially confirmed as the final scheduled round of the current program year. However, SA indicated that additional invitation activity may still occur before June 30, 2026 to optimise any remaining nomination places.

What happens next:

The 2026–27 program year begins on 1 July 2026 with fresh allocation settings. South Australia's new occupation list and invitation schedule for 2026–27 has not yet been officially released — check the official Move to South Australia website for updates from July 2026.

For applicants who missed out in 2025–26: Do NOT delete your EOI. Your Date of Effect (DOE) carries forward into 2026–27 — this is your tie-breaker advantage in the first new-year round.

Subclass 190 vs Subclass 491: What’s the Difference?

Subclass 190 (State Nominated Visa)

• Permanent residency visa
• Requires nomination from the South Australian government
• Allows applicants to live and work permanently in Australia

Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa)

• Provisional regional visa valid for five years
• Requires living and working in designated regional areas
• Provides a pathway to permanent residence after meeting residency and employment criteria
• Both visas play a key role in Australia’s skilled migration framework.

What Does This Mean for Indian Applicants?

For Indian professionals, this invitation round signals strong and ongoing demand in priority sectors such as healthcare, engineering, ICT and education.

Key takeaways for Indian applicants include:

• Monthly invitation rounds increase chances of receiving nomination
• A high number of Subclass 190 invitations indicates strong permanent residency opportunities
• Subclass 491 offers a reliable regional pathway for long-term settlement
• Keeping Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles updated is essential ahead of upcoming rounds

After securing permanent residency through Subclass 190 or through the regional pathway of Subclass 491, many applicants also ask, How long does it take to become an Australian citizen after PR?

How to Prepare for SA Nomination Before July 2026 — LEAMSS Checklist

Before the 2026–27 program year begins, complete these steps:

Step 1: Confirm your occupation is on SA's priority listHealthcare, engineering, ICT, construction, and education occupations have the highest invitation volumes. Check the official Move to SA website.

Step 2: Update your SkillSelect EOIAny change in English score, work experience, or qualifications should be updated immediately. Your DOE (Date of Effect) for the higher score restarts from the date of update.

Step 3: Check your points scoreSubclass 190 adds +5 points; Subclass 491 adds +15 points to your SkillSelect score. Use the LEAMSS Australia PR Points Calculator to check where you stan
[Check My Points →](https://leamss.com/australia-pr-points-calculator)

Step 4: Prepare documents nowSkills assessment, English test (IELTS/PTE), employment references, and qualification certificates should all be current and ready before July 2026.

Step 5: Get a professional EOI reviewA migration agent review of your EOI before July 2026 can identify gaps that would cause rejection — especially for healthcare and engineering applicants where competition is highest.

 Is your occupation on SA's 2026 priority list?

Our LEAMSS registered migration agents in Thane have helped 500+ Indian professionals secure state nomination for Subclass 190 and 491 visas.

Free EOI Review — we'll check your profile before the 2026–27 program year begins.

WhatsApp us now → 7738352427
Call: 7718882427 / 1800-210-2427

Conclusion

South Australia has proven itself the most consistent state for skilled migration in 2025–26 — issuing invitations every month from January to May, with totals rising from 344 to 509 per round.

For Indian professionals in healthcare, engineering, ICT, construction, and education, South Australia's monthly invitation rounds offer the most reliable pathway to Australian PR via Subclass 190 or the regional Subclass 491 route.With the 2025–26 program year ending 30 June 2026 and the 2026–27 year beginning 1 July 2026, now is the time to review your EOI, update your profile, and position yourself for the first SA round of the new year.

Start today — the window is open, and South Australia is waiting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.3  Which occupations received invitations in South Australia in January 2026?

The January 2026 round prioritised the following occupations:

• Health professionals – 69 invitations
• Engineering, science and transport professionals – 63 invitations
• ICT professionals – 33 invitations
• Construction trades workers – 30 invitations
• Engineering & ICT technicians – 25 invitations
• Education professionals – 22 invitations
• Specialist managers – 21 invitations
• Business and marketing professionals – 16 invitations

Healthcare and engineering sectors received the highest allocations.

Q.4 Will South Australia conduct more invitation rounds in 2026?

South Australia confirmed and delivered monthly invitation rounds throughout 2025–26 — January, February, March, April, and May 2026. The May 21 round was the final scheduled round of the current year. SA indicated additional rounds may still occur before June 30, 2026. The 2026–27 program year begins July 1, 2026 with fresh allocation settings and a new occupation list.

Q.5  How can I increase my chances of getting South Australia nomination?

To improve your chances:

• Keep your Expression of Interest (EOI) updated
• Improve your English score (IELTS/PTE)
• Gain additional skilled work experience
• Ensure your occupation is on South Australia’s priority list
• Consider regional employment pathways

Timely updates and accurate documentation are critical.

Q.6  What happened in South Australia's final invitation round of 2025–26 (May 2026)?

South Australia issued 509 invitations on May 21, 2026 — the largest single round of the 2025–26 program year and the final scheduled round. This included 295 invitations under Subclass 190 and 214 under Subclass 491. Healthcare professionals received the highest number of invitations (141), followed by engineering and transport professionals (72) and construction trades (44). ICT professionals received 28 invitations, primarily under Subclass 491.

Q.7  What is South Australia's total skilled migration allocation for 2025–26?

The Australian Government allocated South Australia a total of 2,250 places for 2025–26: 1,350 places under Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and 900 places under Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional). These allocations were increased mid-year — Subclass 190 by 150 places and Subclass 491 by 250 places — reflecting strong demand for skilled workers across the state.

Q.8  When will South Australia begin invitation rounds for the 2026–27 program year?

The 2026–27 South Australian skilled migration program year officially begins on 1 July 2026. The first invitation round of the new year is expected in July or August 2026. South Australia has not yet released its 2026–27 occupation list or nomination requirements. Applicants should monitor the official Move to South Australia website and keep their SkillSelect EOI updated and accurate before the new year begins.