South Australia Issues 364 Invitations in Latest Skilled Migration Round

South Australia continues to lead the way in addressing critical workforce shortages, with the state government officially issuing a new round of invitations for the 2025-26 program year.

On February 3, 2026, South Australia’s Skilled & Business Migration authority issued 364 invitations to high-caliber candidates, signaling strong momentum for those looking to settle in the state.

Key Round Statistics

The February 2026 round saw a steady increase in activity compared to previous months, focusing on both permanent and regional pathways. The breakdown of the 364 invitations is as follows:

Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190): 227 invitations issued. This pathway remains a top priority for those seeking immediate permanent residency.
Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491): 137 invitations issued. This provisional visa offers a five-year stay with a clear route to permanent residence after three years of living and working in South Australia.

High-Demand Occupations

This round heavily favored sectors vital to South Australia’s economic and social infrastructure.

Health professionals dominated the results, followed closely by engineering and ICT sectors, which are critical to the state’s burgeoning defense and space industries.

Occupation Group	Invitations Issued (Feb 2026)
Health Professionals	95
Design, Engineering, and Science	68
ICT Professionals	38
Construction Trades	35
Education Professionals	22
Business & Marketing Professionals	17

For those checking their eligibility against the skilled occupation list, these numbers indicate where the state’s current priorities lie.

Why You Need to Act Now

The latest data reveals a significant trend: South Australia has already invited 1,295 candidates this program year.

This means the state has exhausted approximately 70% of its total 2025-26 allocation only seven months into the financial year.

With the quota filling up faster than anticipated, the “window of opportunity” is narrowing.

State officials have confirmed that while monthly rounds will continue, occupations may be suspended or ceilings reached without notice.

South Australia often applies higher English language and work-experience thresholds for specific industries like ICT and Hospitality compared to federal minimums.

This complexity makes it vital to ensure your Expression of Interest (EOI) is not only accurate but highly competitive.

How This is Australia Can Help

Navigating skilled migration requires a strategic approach. Whether you are an onshore applicant or seeking migration services from overseas, our experts at This is Australia provide tailored advice to help you meet the specific requirements of the South Australian government.

If you are in a high-priority sector like health, engineering, or trades, the time to lodge your application is now before the remaining 30% of the quota is filled.