South Australia Opens Latest General Skilled Migration ROI Round: Key Eligibility, Step-by-Step Guide, and Priority Sectors

Migration SA has officially opened the Registration of Interest (ROI) round for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program (Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas) on 22 October 2026.

Here is a complete breakdown of what applicants need to know, including the staged opening criteria, onshore vs. offshore requirements, application procedures, and state priority sectors.

To manage demand and prioritize candidates with urgent visa timelines, Migration SA is executing a phased opening mechanism. The initial intake specifically prioritizes onshore candidates who are currently residing and working in South Australia with a temporary visa expiring on or before 31 January 2027. Candidates holding visas valid well into 2027 or applicants outside this urgent window are advised to prepare documentation and await announcements regarding upcoming phased release dates.

All applicants must meet the standard Department of Home Affairs baseline criteria:

• Aged under 45 at the time of nomination.

• Minimum score of 65 points on the SkillSelect points test (including state nomination points).

• A valid and positive skills assessment for an eligible occupation.

• Competent English (minimum IELTS 6.0 in each band or PTE Academic 50, unless higher is required for specific occupations).

For onshore candidates, three primary streams are available:

A. South Australian Graduates

• Completed a CRICOS-registered qualification in South Australia with a minimum duration of 46 weeks (at least 75% delivered locally).

• Resided in South Australia for at least one year during study and continuously for the past 6 months.

• Employed full-time (at least 30 hours per week) in South Australia for a minimum of 6 months post-graduation in a role closely related to the nominated occupation (typically matching the first two ANZSCO digits).

B. Skilled Employment in South Australia

• Resided in South Australia for the past 12 months.

• Maintained continuous full-time employment (minimum 30 hours per week) in South Australia for at least 12 consecutive months in a position commensurate with the skill level of the nominated occupation.

C. Outer Regional Skilled Employment

• Resided and worked in a designated South Australian Outer Regional area for at least 9 continuous months.

• Engaged in full-time work (minimum 30 hours per week) with local regional employers.

Applicants often wonder whether offshore candidates need to submit an ROI. South Australia operates distinct frameworks for local and overseas applicants:

Aspect	Onshore Applicants (In SA)	Offshore Applicants (Overseas)
ROI Requirement	Mandatory. Must register and be selected via Migration SA's portal before nomination.	Not required. Do not submit an ROI directly to Migration SA.
Selection Process	Competitive selection through Migration SA portal based on onshore criteria.	Passive invitation directly from the federal SkillSelect pool based on profile strength.
Work Experience Focus	Emphasizes local South Australian tenure (6–12 months) and employer validity.	Focuses on substantial overseas work experience (typically 3–5+ years in high-skill roles).
Visa Category Allocation	Stronger pathway toward the permanent Subclass 190, particularly for priority sectors.	Primarily considered for the provisional Subclass 491, with limited 190 slots for critical shortages.

Migration SA places targeted emphasis on six critical sectors driving the state's economic and infrastructure growth:

1. Healthcare & Social Assistance: Registered nurses, medical specialists, allied health professionals, and aged care clinical leads (primary beneficiaries of Subclass 190 permanent pathways).

2. Building & Construction: Civil engineers, construction project managers, structural drafters, and site supervisors.

3. Engineering & Infrastructure: Specialized engineers, mechanical and electrical technical personnel, and renewable energy technicians.

4. Education: Early childhood teachers, secondary school teachers, and specialized educators.

5. Defence & Advanced Manufacturing: Naval architecture, aerospace systems engineering, cybersecurity, and specialized fabrication technologies.

6. Key Technical Trades: Licensed electricians, heavy mechanical technicians, and precision automotive specialists.

To access the complete South Australia‘s Skilled Occupation List， please click HERE