January 2026 Update: South Australia Issues 344 Skilled Invitations

South Australia just became the first Australian state to invite skilled workers in 2026, sending out 344 invitations on 6 January 2026. If you're thinking about moving to South Australia, this is great news—and now is actually the best time to apply, before other states catch up and competition increases.​

The Numbers: What Was Offered?

South Australia offered invitations across two visa types:​

• 235 invitations for the permanent visa (subclass 190) – lets you live and work anywhere in South Australia

• 109 invitations for the regional visa (subclass 491) – provisional visa for regional areas, can lead to permanent residency after 3 years

Think of it this way: South Australia is offering both a "settle anywhere in the state" pathway and a "help us grow regional areas" pathway.​

What Jobs Are They Inviting?

The January round shows clear demand for specific occupations:​

Top in Demand: Health Professionals (69 invitations)

• Nurses (general, aged-care, mental health)

• Doctors and specialists

• Allied health workers (physiotherapists, occupational therapists)

• Why? Australia has a major shortage of healthcare workers, and South Australia needs them badly​

Also Strongly Wanted:

• Engineers – especially those in renewable energy and clean manufacturing

• IT specialists – for digital transformation across the state

• Teachers – schools and universities need educators

• Trades – electricians, plumbers, carpenters for construction and maintenance

• Hospitality and aged-care workers – for regional tourism and growing elderly population​

Bottom line: If you work in healthcare, engineering, IT, education, or trades, South Australia wants you.

Why January 2026 Is the Perfect Time to Apply

Three reasons now is the best moment:​

1. SA is first out of the gate – Larger states (NSW, Victoria, Queensland) don't reopen until mid-January. Fewer people are applying to SA right now, so your chances are higher​

2. Monthly invitations continue – SA is committing to invite new people every month through June 2026. If you miss January, you'll get chances in February, March, April, May, and June​

3. Offshore applicants especially welcome – If you're outside Australia, you can submit your application (called an EOI – Expression of Interest) on SkillSelect, and SA will select you directly from that list. No complicated extra paperwork required​

The Four Ways to Get Invited

South Australia invites through four different pathways. You fit one of these:​

1. Studied in SA and now work there – If you graduated from a South Australian university or college and have a job there

2. Currently working in SA – If you're already employed in South Australia in a skilled job

3. Working in regional SA – If you've been working in SA's regional areas for 9+ months

4. Living overseas – If you're outside Australia with the right work experience and job fit​

Pick whichever pathway fits your situation best.

Why This Matters

✔ Steady invitation activity signals active demand for skilled workers in health, engineering, ICT, trades, education and business.
✔ Monthly rounds provide repeated opportunities for skilled applicants to achieve nomination.
✔ The high total already issued (931 invites) represents strong momentum early in the 2025–26 migration year. 

For many skilled workers worldwide, South Australia remains a compelling nomination destination — but eligibility and preparation still matter greatly.