Regions & nomination / SA
SASouth Australia nomination
South Australia is generally the most accessible mainland program. The entire state counts as regional, which means Adelaide - a capital city of well over a million people - is a regional destination for visa purposes. It has historically nominated at lower thresholds than NSW or Victoria.
What connection they want
South Australia has run separate streams for people already living in the state, for international graduates of South Australian institutions, and for offshore applicants, with different requirements for each.
How the program behaves
- Because all of South Australia is regional, you can claim the 15-point regional nomination while living in a capital city. That combination is unusual and it is the single strongest argument for looking at SA.
- SA has offered concessions for graduates of South Australian universities and for occupations in critical shortage.
- Subclass 190
- Yes
- Subclass 491
- Yes
- Nomination points
- 190: +5 / 491: +15
- Regional coverage
- The whole of South Australia, including Adelaide, is designated regional.
- Program year
- 2026-27
Current occupation lists, thresholds and opening dates live there, not here. Check it before you act on anything.
How South Australia actually chooses people
South Australia runs separate streams for people already in the state, for graduates of SA institutions, and for offshore applicants, with concessions for some.
How the selection works
- The whole state is regional, so the 15-point 491 is available while living in Adelaide - unusual and the strongest single argument for looking at SA.
- Concessions have been offered to graduates of South Australian institutions and to occupations in critical shortage.
- SA has historically nominated at lower thresholds than New South Wales or Victoria.
If you are short on points and flexible about where you live, South Australia deserves to be the first program you check rather than the last.
This describes the mechanism South Australia 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 SA
These are the designated regional area postcodes for South Australia, 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 | 5000–5171, 5173–5174, 5231–5235, 5240–5252, 5351, 5950–5960 |
| Category 3 Regional centres and other regional areas | All remaining postcodes in South Australia. |
Every postcode in South Australia is regional. Adelaide is Category 2; everywhere else is Category 3.
Is your postcode regional?
Check any Australian postcode against the Department of Home Affairs designated regional area list.
Before you commit to SA
- Confirm your occupation appears on the current SA 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 SA has recently invited.
- Check whether SA 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 SA nomination page.