South Australia's 2024-25 General Skilled Migration Program is now open!
The South Australian General Skilled Migration program covers two state nominated visa options: the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
Both of these visa subclasses under the General Skilled Migration program include an English proficiency requirement, which can be fulfilled by taking an IELTS test and meeting the minimum scores required.
"Work experience is a key focus for South Australia's nomination this year. If you want to stay, make sure you're working in your nominated position in SA—the longer, the better."
Alice Guan (MARN 1909953) IDP's Registered Migration Agent
What are the available visa options?
There are two visa subclasses available under the South Australia's 2024-25 General Skilled Migration Program:
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa
This visa allows you to live and work in Australia permanently.
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa
This is a state nominated provisional visa for skilled migrants that allows you to live and work in regional cities for up to five years and can provide a pathway to permanent residency.
If you live and work in regional cities for three years on the subclass 491 visa, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
How many places are available in the program?
There are 3,800 total places allocated for South Australia.
Based on the 2024–25 state and territory nomination allocations:
Total for South Australia | Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) |
|---|---|---|
3,800 | 3,000 | 800 |
What nomination streams are available in the program?
There are a range of nomination streams for skilled migrants seeking to live and work in South Australia.
Onshore streams
Eligible onshore applicants who meet requirements can now submit a Registration of Interest (ROI).
ROIs will be reviewed throughout the year and successful applicants will receive an invitation to apply for state nomination through one of the following streams:
1. Skilled Employment in South Australia stream
Skilled migrants holding a temporary visa who are currently living in South Australia and working in their nominated occupation may be eligible for state nomination through this stream.
Prospective applicants need to have shown commitment to South Australia and have South Australian work experience in their skilled occupation.
Minimum 12 month full-time employment requirement.
2. South Australian Graduates stream
South Australia continues to retain those who have studied and work here in SA in their skilled occupation.
Graduates who achieve strong employment outcomes are prioritised under the General Skilled Migration program, supporting their retention, and South Australia’s skilled workforce.
Minimum 46 week SA course, must be living in SA for at least 1 year during study, 6 month relevant full-time employment.
3. Outer Regional Skilled Employment streams
Supporting the regions to address skills shortages in outer regional areas of South Australia, applicants working in the regions in their nominated or closely related occupation can apply through this stream.
Candidates may include temporary visa holders, international graduates, self-employed applicants, and sub-contractors.
Must be living and working in outer regional for 9 months working in a nominated position.
Applicants living in Australian states and territories other than South Australia are not eligible under the South Australian Graduate, Skilled Employment in South Australia, or the Outer Regional Skilled Employment categories.
Offshore stream
Prospective skilled migrants residing offshore with high demand skills in South Australia will be considered from their SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and if successful, they will be invited to apply for South Australian nomination.
South Australia anticipates that offshore invitation rounds will occur regularly throughout the program year – commencing at program opening and then at the end of each month from September 2024. Interested applicants should ensure that their EOI is current and up to date and that they have selected South Australia as the primary state of interest.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a subclass 190 or 491 visa, you must:
be under the age of 45
have a valid skills assessment
have an eligible skilled occupation
have at least 65 points on the Australian Government’s points test
have at least Competent English
For South Australian state nomination for these visa subclasses, you must:
meet the Department of Home Affairs visa requirements
meet state-specific occupation requirements and have skills in an occupation available on our State Skilled Occupation List
be eligible for state nomination under one of South Australia’s nomination streams.
Always check the Department of Home Affairs webpage for the latest visa information.
How do I apply for the South Australian skilled visa nomination?
Skilled migrants seeking to move to South Australia can support their visa application by applying for state nomination.
1. Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet the requirements for the visa you are planning to apply for:
Check that your occupation is on South Australia's Skilled Occupation List.
Learn about each of South Australia’s Nomination Streams to see if you’re eligible.
2. Prepare your documentation
You must provide evidence that you have met the eligibility requirements set out by the South Australia for state nomination and the Department of Home Affairs criteria for your chosen skilled migration visa.
Documents that may be required include:
Personal identification documents
Evidence of English proficiency (i.e. IELTS test results)
Proof of professional registration (if your occupation requires this)
A positive and valid skills assessment -- assessed by the relevant skills assessing authority for your nominated occupation
Academic transcripts or graduation certificate
Work experience-related document (if the chosen stream requires)
Proof that you are residing in South Australia (for onshore applicants)
Checklist of Supporting Information needed for your state nomination application
3. Submit your EOI
Submit or update your Expression of Interest (EOI) via the Australian Government’s SkillSelect.
Choose South Australia and select the relevant subclass: either 190 or 491.
Make sure you record your EOI ID number as you will need this for your state nomination application.
4. Submit your ROI and apply for state nomination
Using the EOI number received from SkillSelect, lodge your Registration of Interest (ROI) through the Skilled & Business Migration portal.
If we invite you to apply for nomination, and you submit an application, we will assess that you meet the requirements for your nomination category, and verify that the information that you provided in your Registration of Interest for nomination is true and accurate.
5. Submit your visa application
If you are approved for state nomination, you will receive an email from the Department of Home Affairs inviting you to apply for your visa.
You can submit a visa application for your selected visa with the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs.
The offer of South Australian nomination or endorsement is valid for sixty (60) days from the date of approval. You must apply within 60 days of getting your invitation.
If your visa application is not submitted to the Department of Home Affairs within that time, the offer of SA nomination or endorsement will expire. South Australia will only provide one nomination per applicant.
Important things to consider:
State nomination does not guarantee a visa grant and you must also meet all of Department of Home Affairs visa requirements.
Once submitted, the information in a Registration of Interest (ROI) application is unable to be amended. If substantial information provided in your Registration of Interest (ROI) has changed, for example you have changed jobs, you may wish to withdraw your ROI application and submit a new application with up-to-date information.
What IELTS score do I need to achieve?
For the South Australia 2024-25 General Skilled Migration Program the minimum English Language proficiency required for both visa subclasses is Competent English.
To prove you have competent English for these subclasses, the Department of Home Affairs accept IELTS test results, including One Skill Retake (OSR), as proof of English proficiency.
Visa subclass | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Subclass 190 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
Subclass 491 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
Your English language test results must be less than three years old at the time of nomination application decision.
Why choose IELTS?
IELTS is the world's most popular English test for a reason. Why choose IELTS?
IELTS is accepted by more universities, colleges and academic institutions than any other English test. The test is accepted globally by more than 12,500 organisations.
IELTS is the only English language test that offers a General Training option. IELTS General Training is accepted and trusted by the Australian Government for visa applications.
Are you more comfortable with paper or computer? IELTS lets you choose how you want to take your test.
Need faster results? Take IELTS on computer: results typically available within one day!
Feel confident on test day with official IELTS preparation materials. They are free and you'll get access to premium materials including webinars, videos and practice tests.
IELTS is the only major test to offer One Skill Retake. You can now retake any component of the test; Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking. It's perfect if you want to improve on one area instead of redoing a full test. With other tests, you need to book, pay, and sit a full test again.
Ready to get started? Book your IELTS today and take the first step on your journey to living, working or studying in Australia!
Immigration and the law
Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for changes that may apply to you. If you are interested in Australian student visas, work visas, or looking to migrate permanently, you need to lodge an application with the Australian Government. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent.