Urgent NSW Update: 190 & 491 Invitations Restarting from January 2026
New South Wales has released its full skilled migration settings for the 2025–26 program year. If you're aiming for a Skilled Nominated (190) or Skilled Work Regional (491) visa, these updates affect your timing, eligibility, and chances of being invited.
NSW’s Final Allocations for 2025–26
NSW has received 3,600 nomination places from the Australian Government:
2,100 places for Subclass 190
1,500 places for Subclass 491
These numbers will not increase during the program year, so early preparation is essential.
Subclass 190: Invitation Rounds Restart January 2026
NSW has already completed three invitation rounds for the 190 visa in late 2025. Around 25% of the total 190 places have already been used—approximately 525 nominations.
What this means for you:
Monthly invitation rounds resume January 2026
About 1,575 places remain for the rest of the year
Only occupations on the NSW Skills List are eligible
NSW does not consider occupations outside the list
Competition is expected to increase as the program year progresses.
Subclass 491: Two Pathways Reopen on 19 January 2026
NSW will reopen two major 491 pathways that are relevant to regional applicants.
Pathway 1 — Work in Regional NSW
Opens: 19 January 2026
You may qualify if you:
Work in a designated regional NSW area
Work at least 20 hours/week
Meet the minimum income threshold
Work in your nominated or closely related occupation
You do NOT need to live in regional NSW—commuting from nearby areas is allowed.
Applications will be processed first come, first served, so submitting early helps.
Pathway 3 — Regional NSW Graduate
Opens: 19 January 2026
You may be eligible if you:
Graduated in the past two years
Completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher in regional NSW
Studied your entire qualification at that regional institution
Have an occupation on the NSW Regional Skills List
This is ideal for international students who studied in regional NSW and want to stay.
Pathway 2 — Invitation by NSW
Status: Pending
NSW will decide whether to run Pathway 2 invitation rounds after reviewing demand from Pathways 1 and 3.
If needed, the earliest possible round is April 2026.
Valid Applications: No Exceptions
NSW has strict rules about what counts as a “valid” application. Your application must meet all requirements on the day you submit it, including:
Valid skills assessment
Valid English test
Valid passport
All documents still valid for at least 5 days after submission
If any document has expired or any requirement is not met, NSW rejects the application immediately. You cannot update or resubmit.
Priority (Expedited) Processing
Standard processing can take up to six weeks, depending on volume. NSW may prioritise your application if a key document is expiring within 10 working days, such as:
Visa
English test result
Skills assessment
Passport
Age (turning 33, 40, 45, etc., and losing points)
Deadline: Request priority processing by 12 December 2025.
NSW will be closed 24 December 2025 – 9 January 2026.
Key Dates to Remember
12 December 2025 – Deadline for priority processing requests
19 January 2026 – 491 Pathways 1 & 3 open
January 2026 onwards – Monthly 190 invitations resume
April 2026 – Possible Pathway 2 round (if required)
What You Should Do Now
Whether you’re aiming for the 190 or 491 visa, early preparation is critical.
For 190 Applicants:
Confirm your occupation is on the NSW Skills List
Prepare your EOI and documents ahead of January
Make sure no documents expire within 5 days of submission
Request priority processing if you meet the criteria
For 491 Applicants:
If you work in regional NSW, get your documents ready for Pathway 1
If you recently graduated in regional NSW, check the Regional Skills List for Pathway 3
Submit early—Pathway 1 is processed by lodgement order
Final Advice
NSW remains one of Australia’s most popular skilled migration destinations. With clear timelines, fixed quotas, and strict requirements, preparation is your greatest advantage. Make sure your documentation is complete, valid, and aligned with NSW’s current priority settings.
Need Expert Help?
Applying for NSW nomination can feel overwhelming—especially with strict validity rules and competitive pathways.
If you want to maximise your chances:
Message us to check your NSW eligibility
We can review your documents, points, and occupation
And help you prepare before the busy January–April period begins
Start early. Prepare smart. Give yourself the best chance of being invited to NSW.
