NSW 2026-27 Skilled Migration Program Opens for Subclass 190
Updated: 10 hours ago
Published 15 October 2026
NSW has opened its 2026-27 skilled migration program for the subclass 190 visa. The first invitation round is expected in the week commencing 19 October 2026. Subclass 491 is closed to new applicants under all pathways. NSW has also published an updated NSW Skills List for 2026-27.
What NSW announced
Subclass 190 is open for 2026-27.
The first 190 invitation round is expected in the week commencing 19 October 2026.
The NSW Skills List has been updated for 2026-27. The 190 list covers 78 ANZSCO unit groups.
Subclass 491 is closed to new applicants under Pathway 1, Pathway 2 and Pathway 3.
The Regional Skills List for the 491 has not been updated yet.
NSW shared this in its 15 October 2026 email to the skilled migration mailing list.
What changed on the NSW 190 Skills List
The updated NSW Skills List for subclass 190 now has 78 unit groups.
15 unit groups were added, including Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers, Nutrition Professionals, Podiatrists and Dental Practitioners
16 unit groups were removed, including ICT Managers, ICT Business and Systems Analysts, Engineering Managers and University Lecturers and Tutors
63 unit groups stayed the same
Only the 190 list was updated. The Regional Skills List for the subclass 491 has not been updated yet.
See the full comparison of added, removed and unchanged unit groups on our NSW Skills Lists page.
What this means for you
If your occupation is on the updated list, you can submit an EOI in SkillSelect now. You cannot apply to NSW directly. NSW selects from the EOIs in SkillSelect, so you need an active EOI to be considered in the first round.
If your occupation was on last year's list but not this year's, you are no longer eligible for the 190 in NSW this year. Check the full list on our NSW Skills Lists page.
How NSW picks who gets invited
NSW ranks EOIs within each ANZSCO unit group. It looks at age, English language ability, education, points and skilled work experience. The date you submitted your EOI does not matter.
If you are invited, you have 14 days to accept and lodge your NSW application. NSW does not extend or resend invitations.
Residency rules for the 190
Onshore: work in NSW in your nominated occupation for at least 20 hours per week, or have 6 months of continuous NSW residency.
Offshore: 6 months of residency in NSW.
The clock resets if you move between NSW and offshore. Time on a tourist visa does not count. Onshore or offshore status follows the usual country of residence in your EOI.
Who cannot apply
If you already hold a NSW nomination, you are not eligible again.
If you have lodged a subclass 189 application, you are ineligible.
What to do this week
Check your ANZSCO occupation against the NSW Skills List.
Confirm your skills assessment is valid. See our skills assessment guide.
Check your points with the points calculator.
Submit or update your EOI using our EOI checklist.
Check your NSW residency position against the rules above.
What about the subclass 491?
NSW has closed the 491 to new applicants this year under all pathways. If you were planning on the regional route, read our NSW state nomination page and compare other states on our state and regional sponsor hub.
Other states
Other states are also opening their 2026-27 programs. See Victoria's 2026-27 nomination program and the Northern Territory update.
What we do not know yet
NSW has not yet published its 2026-27 nomination allocation in the sources we checked, and we have not confirmed the 2026-27 nomination fee. We will update this post when NSW publishes them.
Need help with your EOI?
migration agent to check your occupation, points and NSW residency position before the first round.
Sources
NSW Government, Investment NSW: Skilled migration pages for subclass 190 and 491 (2026-27)
NSW Business and Skilled Migration email, 15 October 2026: "2026-27 NSW Skilled Migration Program"
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