South Australia 190 or 491: Which Should You Apply For?
South Australia nominates skilled workers for two very different visas. Here is how the state decides which one you get — and what each path means for your PR.
South Australia state nomination covers two visas: the permanent 190 (SA) and the provisional 491 (SA). Which one you are invited for depends on your occupation and sector, not your preference. If your occupation is 190-eligible and in a priority sector, you may be invited for the 190; otherwise, the 491. Both require meeting Department of Home Affairs criteria and Migration SA’s own nomination rules.
The Core Difference: Permanent VS Provisional
The 190 in South Australia is a permanent visa from the day it is granted. The 491 in South Australia is provisional, valid up to five years, and leads to permanent residency through the Subclass 191. The 190 adds 5 points to your score; the 491 adds 15. Both are state-nominated, so your occupation must be on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List.
| Factor | Subclass 190 (Nominated) | Subclass 491 (Regional) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent from grant | Provisional, up to 5 years |
| Points added | +5 | +15 |
| Pathway to PR | Already permanent | Via the 191, after meeting work, income and residence rules |
| Where you live | Anywhere in SA (with a commitment to the state) | A designated regional area |
| Who SA invites for it | Priority sector and occupation 190-eligible | Non-priority sector, or occupation not 190-eligible |
| Work experience | 3 years in 5 (most occupations) | Same; trades concession of 1 year in 3 |
Which One Will South Australia Invite You For?
This is the part most guides skip. With South Australia, you do not simply pick the 190. The state matches you to a visa based on two things: whether your occupation is eligible for the 190, and whether it sits in a current priority sector.
If your occupation is 190-eligible and you work in a priority sector, you may be invited under the 190. If you are in a non-priority sector, or your occupation is not 190-eligible, you may be invited under the 491 instead. The priority sectors are reviewed each program year, so the list that applies to you is the current one published by Migration South Australia.
Practical takeaway: your occupation and sector usually decide the visa — so the real question is not “190 or 491?” but “where does my occupation sit on South Australia’s current list?” For the full requirements and occupation list, see our South Australia 190 nomination and South Australia 491 nomination pages.
190 and 491 South Australia Requirements: Work Experience
A core part of the 190 and 491 South Australia requirements is work experience. For most occupations, you need at least three years of skilled work in your nominated or a closely related occupation, within the last five years. Work is counted as full-time at 20 hours per week or more.
Trades are treated more generously. If your occupation is in the construction or trades group, you generally need only one year of skilled work in the last three. This concession matters if you are a tradesperson weighing your timing.
How South Australia State Nomination Works
The South Australia state nomination process starts with an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, choosing South Australia as your first preferred state. From there, the path splits by where you live:
Onshore VS Offshore
If you live in South Australia, you also submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) through the state portal. If you live offshore, you are invited directly from your EOI — no ROI is needed. If you are invited, you then have 14 days to lodge your nomination application, so keep your EOI accurate and current.
The Nomination Streams
South Australia runs its nomination through several streams — including South Australian Graduates, Skilled Employment in South Australia, Outer Regional Skilled Employment, and an Offshore stream. Each targets a different profile, and the streams and their settings can change each program year.
Which South Australia Candidate Are You?
The visa you are likely to be invited for depends a lot on your situation. Here is how the most common candidate types usually map to the 190 or the 491 — and where to go next.
| If you are… | Likely visa | Your next step |
|---|---|---|
| Working in SA in your occupation (onshore) | 190 or 491, via the Skilled Employment in SA stream | See the SA 190 / SA 491 requirements |
| A graduate who studied in South Australia | 190 or 491, via the SA Graduates stream | See our study-to-PR pathway |
| Offshore, with an EOI in SkillSelect | Invited directly from your EOI (no ROI) | Read the offshore process below |
| A tradesperson | Often 491; trades get the 1-year work concession | See our skilled trades pathway |
| In a priority sector (see below) | More likely the permanent 190 | Check your occupation is 190-eligible |
South Australia’s Priority Sectors
South Australia gives priority to candidates in certain sectors. In recent program years these have included building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health, and manufacturing. The list is reviewed each year, so confirm the current priority sectors on Migration SA before relying on them.
Offshore applicants: you do not submit a Registration of Interest. South Australia selects candidates directly from their SkillSelect EOI, so your EOI must be accurate, current, and list South Australia as your first preferred state. Offshore selection leans on in-demand occupations and genuine intention to settle in the state.
If You Take The 491: The Path To PR
The 491 is not the end point — it is the road to permanent residency through the Subclass 191. To move to the 191, you must live in a designated regional area and meet a minimum taxable income for the required income years while on the 491.
One thing to plan for: time on the provisional 491 does not count toward citizenship. Your citizenship clock starts once you become a permanent resident through the 191. So a 491 is a slightly longer route than a 190 — but for many occupations, it is the realistic one.
Places and Settings Change Every Program Year
South Australia’s nomination places, priority sectors, occupation lists and fees are set for each program year, which runs from July. Allocations can rise or fall, and occupations can move on or off the list. Because of this, the safest plan is to confirm the current settings on Migration South Australia before you commit — and to expect them to refresh when the new program year opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose between the 190 and the 491?
Do I need to live in regional South Australia for the 491?
Do I need a job offer for South Australian nomination?
How many points do I need?
Can I move to another state after getting the 190?
How does South Australia nominate offshore candidates?
Is there an age limit for the 190 or 491?
What are the 190 and 491 South Australia requirements?
Can international graduates of South Australia apply?
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