Moving to South Australia
South Australia nominates for the subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas across several streams, each with its own eligibility rules. As in Western Australia, the capital counts as regional — Adelaide is a designated regional area, so the subclass 491 and its regional points are available to people living in the metropolitan area.
Why Adelaide counts as regional
Adelaide is a designated regional area for skilled migration. The subclass 491 awards 15 points for regional nomination, and in South Australia those points are available to someone living in the metropolitan area of the state capital. Combined with South Australia's comparatively low housing costs, this makes the state a serious option for applicants who would struggle to reach the invitation threshold in New South Wales or Victoria.
Weighing the finances as well as the visa? Our cost of living comparison against the UK converts salaries properly and shows how much the answer varies by occupation.
South Australia at a glance
- Capital
- Adelaide
- Nomination program
- Skilled & Business Migration, multiple streams
- Occupation list
- South Australian Skilled Occupation List
- Visas nominated
- Subclass 190 and subclass 491
- Minimum points
- 65, before state nomination points
- Regional status
- The entire state, including Adelaide
How South Australian nomination works
South Australia runs its nomination through several distinct streams rather than a single pathway. Which one applies depends on your circumstances — whether you are working in the state, have graduated from a South Australian institution, are living offshore with in-demand skills, or fall under a specific talent or employer arrangement.
Each stream has its own criteria, and an occupation eligible under one may not be eligible under another. Identify your stream before assessing your occupation, not the other way round — this is the most common source of wasted effort in South Australian applications.
- Occupation on the South Australian Skilled Occupation List for your stream
- A points score of at least 65 before state nomination points
- A relevant skills assessment for your nominated occupation
- Stream-specific requirements, which may cover work in the state, study in the state, or offshore status
190 or 491 in South Australia
Most of the occupations South Australia nominates are open to both the subclass 190 and the subclass 491, but a meaningful group is eligible for the 491 only. If your occupation falls in that group, the provisional regional visa is your route and permanent residency comes later.
The choice is not purely about which you qualify for. The 190 is permanent from grant; the 491 is a five-year provisional visa with conditions attached, and a pathway to permanent residency for those who meet them. Where both are open to you, the 190 is the stronger position.
What the South Australian economy actually needs
South Australia's demand differs from the resources-led profile of Western Australia. Defence and shipbuilding, health and aged care, agriculture and wine, education and a growing technology sector shape the occupation lists.
Invitation rounds are held periodically and the numbers issued vary through the program year, so an occupation that looks competitive in one round may not be in the next. Check the current list and round activity before committing to a South Australian strategy.
Shipping your household to South Australia
Adelaide is served by the container terminal at Outer Harbor. Shipments to South Australia from the UK and Europe generally route through the same rotation as the eastern states, so transit times are broadly comparable rather than shorter.
Moving with school-age children? Public school fees for temporary visa holders are set by the state and the structure differs — see moving to Australia with children for how that varies and how to time a move around the January school year.
What the move costs is driven by volume rather than destination — see what it costs to move to Australia for the volume model and current market rates, and what you can't ship before packing day.
South Australia: common questions
Is Adelaide classified as regional?
Yes. Adelaide is a designated regional area for skilled migration, so the subclass 491 and its 15 regional points are available in the metropolitan area. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane do not carry that classification, which is why Adelaide and Perth are disproportionately attractive to applicants with marginal points scores.
How many occupations are on the South Australian list?
Several hundred, with most eligible for both the subclass 190 and 491 and a substantial minority eligible for the 491 only. The count changes with each program year, so check the current list on the South Australian migration site rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere.
Do I need to have lived or studied in South Australia?
Not for every stream. South Australia nominates offshore applicants with in-demand skills as well as people already working or studying in the state, but the criteria differ by stream and the offshore routes are generally the most competitive. Identify which stream you fall under before assessing your chances.
Is South Australia cheaper than the eastern states?
Housing in Adelaide is materially cheaper than in Sydney or Melbourne, which is the main financial argument for the state and is often what makes a lower South Australian salary work out better in practice. Compare on take-home pay against housing cost for your occupation rather than on headline salary.
Before you rely on this
Nomination criteria, occupation lists and allocations are set by the state and revised every program year. This page explains how the system works and what makes South Australia different; it is not a statement of your eligibility. Confirm the current position with the state authority before lodging anything.