South Australia’s Skilled & Business Migration unit kicked off the 2026 calendar year by issuing 344 invitations across its state-nominated Subclass 190 (permanent) and Subclass 491 (regional provisional) visas. Health professionals received the largest share (69), followed by design/engineering and education professionals. The state’s strategy dovetails with federal reforms that prioritise healthcare, construction and regional development under the new four-tier occupation system. By running monthly invitation rounds, Adelaide aims to smooth demand and give offshore applicants more predictable timelines. For employers, the additional 235 permanent Subclass 190 nominations provide an immediate pathway to retain critical staff without waiting for federal SkillSelect draws, while the 109 regional 491 invitations bolster workforce pipelines outside metropolitan Adelaide. Mobility managers should note that South Australia actively targets offshore talent willing to commit to regional employment, often at lower points thresholds than eastern-state programs. Applicants who secure nomination must still lodge the visa with Home Affairs—but state backing significantly improves processing priority.
Source: TerraTern
