South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List 2026/27
South Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program has commenced for the 2026/27 financial year, providing skilled migrants with pathways to seek state nomination for permanent and provisional visas.
The Australian Government has confirmed that the 2026/27 Permanent Migration Program will remain at 185,000 places, including 132,240 places allocated to the Skilled Migration Program. Nationally, the program includes 35,500 places in the State and Territory Nominated category and 14,110 places in the Regional category.
These figures represent national planning levels rather than South Australia’s individual state nomination allocation.
For the 2026/27 program, South Australia is prioritising skilled applicants in industries that support the state’s workforce and economic needs, including building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing.
What Is South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List?
South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List identifies occupations that may be eligible for state nomination under the GSM program.
Applicants can search the list using an occupation title, Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code or occupation category.
The list helps applicants identify potential visa pathways and relevant nomination requirements. However, having an occupation on the list does not automatically mean an applicant is eligible for nomination or will receive an invitation.
Applicants must also satisfy the requirements of the relevant nomination stream and visa subclass.
You can view the current South Australian Skilled Occupation List on the Migration SA website.
What Are the Priority Occupations for 2026/27?
Migration SA has identified six priority sectors for the 2026/27 GSM program:
- Building and construction
- Defence
- Education
- Engineering
- Health
- Manufacturing
These sectors reflect areas of workforce demand and economic development across South Australia.
Applicants working in these industries may be prioritised when Migration SA issues invitations for state nomination.
However, the program is not limited exclusively to these sectors. Migration SA has indicated it may also consider high-ranking candidates in non-priority sectors.
Applicants should therefore check whether their occupation appears on the Skilled Occupation List and assess their eligibility against the applicable nomination criteria.
Skilled Migration Visa Options in South Australia
South Australia’s GSM program supports nomination for two skilled migration visa subclasses.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
Successful applicants can live and work in Australia permanently, subject to the visa’s conditions and obligations.
Applicants must meet the relevant Commonwealth visa requirements and South Australia’s nomination criteria.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a provisional visa for eligible skilled workers seeking to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.
The visa provides a potential pathway to permanent residency for applicants who subsequently satisfy the relevant requirements.
Both visa subclasses operate within Australia’s points-tested skilled migration system, and state nomination does not remove the obligation to meet Commonwealth visa eligibility requirements.
South Australia’s Skilled Migration Nomination Streams
South Australia offers different nomination pathways depending on an applicant’s circumstances, including where they live, work or have studied.
The four nomination streams are:
1. Skilled Employment in South Australia
This stream is intended for eligible skilled workers who are living and working in South Australia.
Applicants must satisfy the applicable employment, residence and occupation requirements before they can be considered for nomination.
2. South Australian Graduates
This stream provides a potential nomination pathway for eligible international graduates who have completed studies in South Australia.
Eligibility depends on the applicable study, residence, employment and other nomination requirements.
3. Outer Regional Skilled Employment
This stream is designed for eligible skilled workers living and working in outer regional South Australia.
It supports regional workforce needs and may provide opportunities for applicants employed outside metropolitan Adelaide.
4. Offshore
The Offshore stream provides a pathway for eligible skilled workers living outside Australia who wish to migrate to South Australia.
Offshore applicants are considered through the Commonwealth’s SkillSelect system, subject to the relevant nomination requirements and selection priorities.
The eligibility criteria can differ between streams and occupations.
Registrations of Interest for Onshore Applicants in 2026/27
Migration SA has confirmed that the 2026/27 GSM program is now open for Registrations of Interest (ROIs) from individuals living and working in South Australia whose current visas are due to expire by 31 January 2027.
Applicants should be aware that submitting an ROI is not the same as receiving an invitation to apply for state nomination.
Migration SA assesses candidates against the program’s requirements and selection priorities before issuing invitations.
Applicants should also ensure they have a current Expression of Interest (EOI) lodged in SkillSelect, as all applicants must have a current EOI.
How Do Offshore Applicants Apply?
Migration SA has confirmed that individuals living outside Australia can continue to lodge an EOI through SkillSelect.
Offshore applicants do not need to submit a separate ROI to Migration SA.
Instead, Migration SA selects suitable offshore candidates directly from their SkillSelect EOIs and may issue invitations to apply for state nomination.
Applicants should ensure that the information in their EOI is accurate, current and consistent with their supporting documentation.
Contact Us
For expert guidance with SA’s Skilled Occupation List for 2026/27, contact Bambrick Legal today.
- Schedule a professional consultation with our specialists here
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Please note: Our migration and citizenship consultations are provided on a fee basis.
Related Blog – What the 2026/27 Federal Budget Means for Skilled Visa Applicants & Sponsors