South Australia State Nomination — 190 & 491

Skilled & Business Migration SA operates South Australia's nomination program. SA historically runs multiple streams including SA graduates, Working in SA, Offshore, and Talent and Innovators — providing more pathway options than some other states.

MARN 1576536

WIDEN does not issue SA nominations. Skilled & Business Migration SA does, on its own published criteria. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed (s 15). WIDEN's role is the migration pathway — visa subclass, points strategy, EOI lodgement, and integration with the broader visa application.

SA streams (high level)

SA Graduates — for graduates of South Australian institutions in qualifying courses.
Working in South Australia — for applicants currently employed in SA in their nominated occupation.
Offshore — for offshore applicants in eligible occupations (when open).
Talent and Innovators — high-points / specialist stream for applicants with significant skills, leadership, or specialist expertise.

Stream openings and occupation lists change. Verify current published streams directly with Skilled & Business Migration SA before lodging.

Typical criteria framework

EOI lodged in SkillSelect, ticking SA as nominating state
Positive skills assessment in an SA-nominated occupation
Connection to South Australia appropriate to your target stream
Minimum points appropriate to occupation and stream
English at the level required by the visa subclass
Commitment to settle and work in South Australia (Adelaide for 190, regional SA for 491 streams)

Frequently asked questions

Who runs South Australia's state nomination?

Skilled & Business Migration South Australia (part of the SA Government) operates South Australia's skilled migration nomination program for the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491. SA publishes current streams, eligible occupations, and criteria on its skilled migration website.

What streams does SA operate?

SA has historically operated multiple streams including: SA Graduates, Working in South Australia, Offshore (when open), and Talent and Innovators (a higher-points / specialist stream). Stream availability and criteria change frequently — verify with SA before lodging.

What's the Talent and Innovators stream?

Historically SA has offered a Talent and Innovators stream targeting high-points applicants, specialist occupations, or applicants with significant value (such as senior leadership or specialist expertise). Eligibility criteria are tighter and the stream typically expects strong supporting evidence. Confirm whether this stream is currently open and what the current criteria are with SA.

Is SA more accessible than NSW or VIC?

SA has historically been seen as offering a wider range of streams (including offshore and graduate pathways) than some other states for certain occupations, though invitation rounds and cut-offs vary. 'Easier' is misleading — each state suits different applicants. Choose based on your occupation, connection to SA, and target timeline.

What does SA nomination cost?

SA publishes its current nomination fee on its skilled migration website. The Department of Home Affairs visa application charge is separate. Verify both current costs before applying.

Do I have to live in SA permanently?

SA's nomination is conditional on a genuine commitment to settle and work in South Australia (Adelaide for 190, regional SA for 491 streams). The 491 visa includes regional residence and employment obligations that, if not met, can affect the future pathway to permanent residence via the 191.

Discuss your SA pathway

Discuss SA nomination with WIDEN

Fields marked * are required. WIDEN does not issue state nominations — South Australia's skilled migration program does. WIDEN's role is migration advice: confirming your visa pathway, points strategy, EOI lodgement, and how a SA nomination fits the picture.

Full name *

Email *

Phone (with country code)

Country of citizenship

Your nominated occupation

Target visa subclass

Current situation

Your situation / question

I consent to WIDEN — Migration Experts storing my information to respond to this enquiry. I understand that submission of this form does not create a client-agent relationship, that state nomination is decided independently by South Australia, and that no outcome can be guaranteed. Privacy Policy. *

General information only. South Australia's skilled migration program — including occupation lists, points cut-offs, fees, criteria, and processing times — changes regularly. Verify current rules directly at www.migration.sa.gov.au before relying on this page.

This page does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022). WIDEN does not issue state nominations — South Australia does, on its own published criteria, and outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent (s 15). Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Code, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). The OMARA Consumer Guide is provided to all clients before the consultation begins. PI insurance held under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. Complaints via our Complaints Policy or directly to OMARA.