South Australia State Nomination March 2026 – 406 Invitations Issued
In early March 2026, South Australia (SA) reaffirmed its position as a primary destination for skilled migrants by issuing a robust round of invitations. On 3 March 2026, the state government invited 406 candidates to apply for state nomination, focusing on critical sectors required to support the state's burgeoning infrastructure, healthcare needs, and defense projects.
Round Statistics: Subclass Breakdown
The March 2026 round provided a clear pathway to both permanent and provisional residency:
| Visa Subclass | Invitations |
|---|---|
| Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) | 242 |
| Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) | 164 |
This distribution highlights South Australia's continued emphasis on permanent residency for high-priority sectors while utilizing the regional pathway to support the state's outer metropolitan and rural development.
Sector Spotlight: Health and Engineering
The invitations were strategically concentrated in two major ANZSCO sub-major groups, reflecting the state's "priority sectors" policy for the 2025–26 program year.
Health Professionals (97 Invitations)
The healthcare sector remains the highest priority, securing nearly a quarter of the total invitations.
Subclass 190 dominance: 96 of the 97 invitations in this group were for the permanent 190 visa.
Why it matters: South Australia is currently facing acute shortages in nursing, aged care, and allied health. By offering immediate permanent residency pathways, the state aims to attract and retain medical talent who might otherwise be drawn to the east coast.
Design, Engineering, Science, and Transport (53 Invitations)
This group saw significant activity to support South Australia's massive infrastructure pipeline and defense contracts (notably the shipbuilding precinct at Osborne).
Distribution: 44 invitations for Subclass 190 and 9 for Subclass 491.
Technical Support: Additionally, the "Engineering, ICT, and Science Technicians" group received 40 invitations, underscoring the need for support staff in specialized technical fields.
Eligibility and the "Caretaker" Period
As of 21 February 2026, the South Australian Government entered Caretaker Conventions ahead of the state election on 21 March. While invitation rounds are continuing according to the established 2025–26 migration plan, new policy changes or major shifts are unlikely until a new government is formed.
Key Requirements for Applicants
SkillSelect EOI: South Australia must be selected as your first preferred state.
Registration of Interest (ROI): Most streams require a successful ROI submission via the Migration SA portal before an invitation is issued.
Onshore Priority: Candidates currently living and working in South Australia (particularly graduates and those in outer regional areas) continue to see the fastest invitation turnarounds.