State Nominated Visa Allocations
New South Wales has been allocated the following nominations for skilled migration for the 2025-26 program:
· 2,100 Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
· 1,500 Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
Here are the latest updates for the skilled migration program.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
To date, three invitation rounds have been completed for this program year. Monthly invitation rounds will recommence from January 2026 until the annual allocation has been met. As of December 2025, approximately 25% of the annual allocation have been nominated.
Please be reminded that only occupations that appear on the NSW Skills List will considered for an invitation.
Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
Pathway 1 – Work in Regional NSW and Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate will open on 19 January 2026.
Please be advised that applications will be processed in chronological order. However, only valid applications will be placed in the queue for processing.
Subclass 491 visa Pathway 1 – Work in Regional NSW
Provided applicants meet the minimum income threshold and have been employed for at least six months, all occupations that are eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) can apply under Pathway 1.
Subclass 491 visa Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate
To apply under this pathway, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an education institution located in a designated regional area of NSW. Only occupations that appear on the NSW Regional Skills List are eligible to apply.
Subclass 491 visa Pathway 2 – Invitation by NSW
The need to conduct an invitation round under Pathway 2 will be determined following the demand for nominations under Pathways 1 and 3. At the earliest, if required, an invitation round for Pathway 2 will occur in April 2026.
Source: NSW Business and Skilled Migration
