SA State Nomination 2026: Top 10 FAQs (Guidelines for 190 & 491)

Angie Lam
7 days ago
3 min read

This FAQ guide is based on official information from Migration SA (migration.sa.gov.au) and is essential reading for applicants preparing or updating their EOI and ROI in 2026.

1. What Is the SA State Nomination Process?

The SA state nomination process generally involves:

Submitting a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and selecting South Australia as a preferred state
Completing an online Registration of Interest (ROI) (mainly for onshore applicants)
Migration SA assessing your profile against current state nomination criteria and priorities
If selected, receiving state nomination approval, followed by visa lodgement with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA)

Nomination is competitive and priority-based, not automatic.

2. Who Is Eligible for SA State Nomination?

While criteria vary by stream and occupation, applicants generally must:

Be under 45 years of age at invitation
Have competent English (or higher where required)
Hold a positive skills assessment
Nominate an occupation on the SA Skilled Occupation List (SASOL)
Meet the points test via SkillSelect EOI
Commit to living and working in South Australia

Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee an invitation.

3. What Is Required for Onshore Applicants?

Onshore applicants typically need:

Current residency in South Australia
A valid ROI lodged through Migration SA
Evidence of employment or study in the nominated or related occupation
Valid English test results and skills assessment

Offshore applicants generally submit an EOI only and do not lodge an ROI.

4. How Often Does SA Issue Invitations?

Invitation rounds are not guaranteed but are commonly conducted monthly, depending on:

Available nomination places
Labour market demand
Program planning levels

For example, invitations were issued in January 2026, with outcomes published on Migration SA’s News & Events page.

Priority occupations and sectors are usually selected first.

5. Do I Need English Test Results?

Yes. At a minimum, applicants must meet Competent English (e.g. IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).

Some streams and occupations may:

Require higher English levels, or
Accept Vocational English in limited circumstances

English results must be valid and uploaded in your EOI and/or ROI.

6. What Documents Are Required for Nomination?

Common documents include:

Skills assessment outcome
English language test results
Passport bio page
SkillSelect EOI summary
ROI confirmation (if applicable)
Statement of commitment to South Australia

Additional documents may be requested depending on the stream.

7. Can Family Members Be Included?

Yes. Eligible partners and dependent children can be included in the nomination and visa application.

You must provide:

Relationship evidence
Identity documents
Evidence of financial capacity (where applicable)

8. What If My Occupation or Circumstances Change?

You must update your EOI and ROI immediately if there are changes to:

Occupation
Employment status
English results
Work location
Points claims

The SA Skilled Occupation List (SASOL) is updated periodically, so regular monitoring is essential.

9. What Are the Key Conditions of the 491 Visa?

Subclass 491 is a provisional regional visa, requiring holders to:

Live and work in regional South Australia for at least 3 years
Meet minimum taxable income thresholds
Apply for Subclass 191 to obtain permanent residence

Compliance is critical.

10. Where Should I Start?

Start with the official Migration SA website:👉 https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants

However, given that SA nomination is strategy-driven, many applicants benefit from professional guidance to ensure their EOI and ROI are positioned correctly.

For personalised advice and tailored migration pathway options based on your individual profile and current state priorities, please contact Get Visa Migration Services for a strategic assessment.

Disclaimer

Stream labels, sector focus, and priority interpretations are inferred for explanatory purposes only. Applicants must always refer to the official Migration SA ROI system and published criteria for current requirements.