South Australia Issues 344 Skilled Visa Invitations in 2025–26: Big Opportunity for Indian Professionals

South Australia Invitation Round 2026: 344 Skilled Visa Invitations for 190 & 491

South Australia has officially kicked off its 2025–26 General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme by issuing 344 skilled visa invitations in its first round, creating fresh opportunities for Indian and other overseas professionals seeking to work and settle in Australia.

According to an update released by the South Australian government, the invitation round was held in January 2026, with nominations issued under two key skilled visa categories: Subclass 190 (State Nominated Visa) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa). The move highlights the state’s continued reliance on skilled migration to address labour shortages across critical sectors.

This South Australia invitation round 2026 has attracted significant attention among skilled migration applicants, especially those applying for Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas.

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.

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.

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?

Yes. South Australia has confirmed that invitation rounds will be conducted monthly during the 2025–26 programme year. The next round is scheduled for early February 2026.

Regular draws are designed to give skilled workers multiple opportunities to secure state nomination while helping regional employers fill critical vacancies.

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?

Conclusion

South Australia continues to be one of the most proactive states in Australia’s skilled migration programme. The issuance of 344 invitations in the first round of 2025–26 reflects the state’s commitment to addressing workforce shortages while offering skilled professionals a clear pathway to live and work in regional Australia.

For Indian applicants aiming for Australia PR, South Australia remains a highly attractive destination with consistent invitation rounds and strong demand across multiple industries.

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?

Yes. South Australia has confirmed monthly invitation rounds for the 2025–26 migration programme year.
Regular draws increase your chances of receiving state nomination — especially if your EOI is competitive and updated.

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.