Regions & nomination / NSW
NSWNew South Wales nomination
NSW runs one of the largest and most competitive nomination programs in the country. It does not take expressions of interest from everyone - it selects from the SkillSelect pool against its own skills lists, and it has historically favoured high scorers with a real, evidenced connection to the state.
What connection they want
For the 190, NSW has required applicants to have continuously resided in NSW for at least six months, or to have been living offshore for at least six months. Living in another Australian state disqualifies you.
How the program behaves
- The 491 has run as several distinct pathways rather than one queue - an employment-based pathway requiring six months with a single regional NSW employer at the required salary, a regional graduate pathway for people who completed a degree at a regional NSW institution, and a reserve pathway only opened if the others do not fill the allocation.
- NSW has closed subclass 190 invitations mid-year once its allocation was exhausted, then reopened at the start of the next program year. Do not assume a closed program means a cancelled one.
- Subclass 190
- Yes
- Subclass 491
- Yes
- Nomination points
- 190: +5 / 491: +15
- Regional coverage
- Regional NSW is everything outside Greater Sydney.
- Program year
- 2026-27
Current occupation lists, thresholds and opening dates live there, not here. Check it before you act on anything.
How New South Wales actually chooses people
NSW selects candidates from the SkillSelect pool against its own criteria, and runs the 491 as several distinct streams rather than one queue.
How the selection works
- For the 190, NSW has required six months continuous residence in NSW, or six months living offshore. Living in another Australian state disqualifies you.
- The 491 has run as separate pathways - an employment pathway requiring months with a single regional NSW employer, a regional graduate pathway, and a reserve pathway opened only if the others do not fill.
- NSW has closed 190 invitations mid-year once its allocation was exhausted, then reopened the following program year.
The six-month residence rule catches people out constantly. Moving to Sydney and applying two months later does not work, and moving from another state resets you.
This describes the mechanism New South Wales uses to rank and select candidates, which changes rarely. It deliberately does not list current thresholds or occupation lists, which change through the year. Mechanism reviewed 22 July 2026.
Regional postcodes in NSW
These are the designated regional area postcodes for New South Wales, as published by the Department of Home Affairs. Category 2 and Category 3 are both regional; anything not listed is Category 1 and attracts no regional concessions.
| Category | Postcodes |
|---|---|
| Category 2 Cities and major regional centres | 2259, 2264–2308, 2500–2526, 2528–2535, 2574 |
| Category 3 Regional centres and other regional areas | 2250–2258, 2260–2263, 2311–2490, 2527, 2536–2551, 2575–2739, 2753–2754, 2756–2758, 2773–2898 |
Sydney postcodes are Category 1 and are not regional.
Is your postcode regional?
Check any Australian postcode against the Department of Home Affairs designated regional area list.
Before you commit to NSW
- Confirm your occupation appears on the current NSW list - state lists are much narrower than the national list.
- Get your skills assessment and English test done. Most states will not consider you without them.
- Work out your points score, then check it against what NSW has recently invited.
- Check whether NSW requires its own registration separate from your SkillSelect EOI.
- Be honest about the commitment. Nomination is granted on the basis that you will live and work there.
Registered migration agents
We are building a directory of MARN-registered agents and immigration lawyers. Listings are checked against the public register before they appear.
How the directory worksPlacement shown on the NSW nomination page.