South Australia Opens 2026-27 Skilled Migration ROIs for Onshore Applicants
Last Updated: 22 October 2026
South Australia reopened Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for its 2026-27 General Skilled Migration program on 22 October 2026. The ROI is open to people living and working in South Australia whose current visas expire by 31 January 2027, according to the official South Australian notice.
Offshore candidates do not lodge an ROI. They can still be invited directly from an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillS elect.
Invitations go to both onshore and offshore candidates. The focus is on priority sectors, but high-ranking candidates in other sectors may also be considered.
Key takeaways
Onshore ROI is open now for candidates in South Australia whose visas expire by 31 January 2027
Offshore candidates do not submit an ROI and are invited from their SkillSelect EOI
Every applicant needs a current EOI lodged in SkillSelect
Priority sectors are building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing
Non-priority occupations can still be invited if the candidate ranks highly
Check the 2026-27 South Australia skilled occupation list before you plan anything else
What changed in the 2026-27 program
The 2026-27 program restarts a process that had paused. South Australia closed its previous ROI intake at 9am on 2 June 2026, and the last formal invitation round was held on 21 May 2026, as shown on its ROI closing notice.
The state said at that time that it would resume accepting ROIs when the 2026-27 program began. That is now happening.
The 22 October notice names a specific onshore group: people living and working in South Australia whose current visas expire by 31 January 2027. Read the notice carefully and confirm on the South Australian site that your situation fits before you plan around it.
The notice does not state South Australia's 2026-27 nomination allocation.
The federal settings point the same way. The 2026-27 Budget kept the permanent Migration Program at 185,000 places, with 132,240 in the Skill stream, and prioritised onshore migrants, according to Baker McKenzie's Budget summary.
Onshore and offshore pathways
The two groups follow different steps, but both need a current EOI in SkillSelect.
Step | Onshore (living and working in South Australia) | Offshore |
Registration | Submit an ROI with South Australia's migration portal | No ROI required |
SkillSelect | Current EOI required | Current EOI required |
Who is covered | Visa expires by 31 January 2027 | Occupation must be open to offshore candidates |
How you are invited | Suitable ROI candidates are invited | Suitable candidates are invited directly from their EOI |
Offshore availability depends on the occupation. On the Skilled Occupation List, some entries are marked as not available to offshore clients. Construction Project Manager and Engineering Manager, for example, are open to top-ranking offshore candidates, while Corporate Services Manager is not. You can browse every occupation on RACC's South Australia skilled occupation list.
Priority sectors and non-priority occupations
South Australia says it will focus invitations on candidates working in six priority sectors:
Building and construction
Defence
Education
Engineering
Health
Manufacturing
That focus is not a closed door. The notice says high-ranking candidates in non-priority sectors may also be considered.
If your occupation sits outside these sectors, a strong profile still gives you a real chance. Your ranking and your occupation's availability on the list matter more than the sector label alone.
How to use the Skilled Occupation List
The Skilled Occupation List sets out the occupations eligible for South Australian nomination in the 2026-27 program. You can search by occupation name, ANZSCO code or occupation category. RACC's South Australia skilled occupation list explains how the list works and shows the official search tool.
Each entry shows the same details:
The onshore streams on the list are South Australian Graduates, Skilled Employment in South Australia and Outer Regional Skilled Employment. The list also shows that subclass availability differs by occupation. Sales and Marketing Manager lists subclass 491 only, while Corporate Services Manager lists both 190 and 491.
Check your own occupation entry directly, because the list is the deciding source for what is open to you. Employers who want to sponsor a worker should use the SA DAMA occupation list instead.
What to do now
Find your occupation on the South Australia skilled occupation list and note the streams, subclasses and offshore availability.
Onshore candidates: confirm your current visa expiry date. The ROI notice names visas expiring by 31 January 2027.
Lodge a new EOI in SkillSelect, or update your existing one so it is current.
Onshore candidates: submit your ROI through South Australia's migration portal.
Read the requirements for your stream on the South Australian skilled migration page and the how to apply page.
Nomination requirements deserve their own read, and we will cover them in a follow-up article. To see how other states are inviting candidates, check RACC's state and regional invitation round page.
Other pathways if your occupation is not open
Not every occupation can use South Australian nomination. Some entries are closed to offshore candidates, and some are limited to subclass 491.
If that is your situation, these pathways may still work:
Employer sponsorship through a DAMA. South Australia's Designated Area Migration Agreement lets employers sponsor workers in listed occupations. Employers should check the SA DAMA occupation list.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). An employer sponsors you for a skilled role. Read the Skills in Demand visa guide.
Training visa (subclass 407). This visa covers workplace-based training and can help you build experience in Australia. See the subclass 407 training visa page.
Other states. Each state runs its own program with its own occupation list and criteria. Compare them on the state and regional invitation round page.
The employer pathways need an employer on your side, so start that conversation early.
Frequently asked questions
Is South Australia open for skilled migration ROIs in 2026-27?
Yes. South Australia opened ROIs on 22 October 2026 for people living and working in the state whose current visas expire by 31 January 2027. Offshore candidates do not lodge an ROI and can be invited directly from their SkillSelect EOI.
Do offshore applicants need to submit an ROI?
No. The official notice says offshore applicants are not required to submit an ROI. Suitable offshore candidates are invited directly from the EOI they lodged in SkillSelect.
Can I be invited if my occupation is not in a priority sector?
Yes, it is possible. The notice says high-ranking candidates in non-priority sectors may also be considered. Your occupation still needs to be on the 2026-27 Skilled Occupation List.
Which sectors does South Australia prioritise?
South Australia names building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing as priority sectors. Candidates working in these sectors are the focus of invitations from both onshore and offshore groups.
Do I need an EOI in SkillSelect?
Yes. All applicants must have a current EOI lodged in SkillSelect, whether they are onshore or offshore.
Where can I check if my occupation is eligible?
Use the Skilled Occupation List on the South Australian migration site. Search by occupation name, ANZSCO code or category, and check whether your occupation is open to offshore candidates. RACC's South Australia skilled occupation list also breaks down the streams and subclasses.
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