The NSW Government has received an interim allocation for the 2025–26 Skilled Migration Program from the Department of Home Affairs. This announcement signals the start of the new migration program year, opening fresh opportunities for skilled professionals to apply for nomination for a permanent or provisional visa to live and work in New South Wales.
NSW Interim Skilled Visa Allocations 2025–26
The NSW Government has received interim allocations for the 2025–26 Skilled Migration Program as follows:
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) – 200 places
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – 180 places
These figures form part of an interim allocation, with a full quota expected to be confirmed later in the program year.
Upcoming Invitation Rounds
NSW will hold an invitation round next week for the subclass 190 visa as part of the interim phase.
If you are seeking nomination, please ensure your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) is:
- Fully updated with your most recent details
- Accurate and supported by valid evidence for all claims made
Only EOIs that meet eligibility criteria and can be verified through appropriate documentation will be considered for an invitation.
NSW Priority Sectors for 2025–26
The NSW Government continues to align its skilled migration priorities with national objectives to support critical industries and address key workforce shortages.
The NSW Priority Sectors for 2025–26 are:
- Construction (infrastructure and housing)
- Net Zero and Energy Transition
- Care and Support Economy
- Digital and Cyber
- Agriculture and Agrifood
- Advanced Manufacturing
These sectors aim to attract skilled professionals who can contribute to sustained economic growth and innovation across both regional and metropolitan NSW.
Published NSW Skills Lists
NSW has released the official Skills Lists for the 2025–26 program year. The lists are published at the ANZSCO unit group level and divided into:
- Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa
If your occupation appears within an eligible unit group, you may be considered for NSW nomination. Occupations not included on the Skills Lists are not eligible for nomination under this program.
The published lists are available on the Investment NSW website.
Update on Subclass 491 Visa Nominations
Applications for the subclass 491 visa (all pathways) are temporarily closed to new applicants. This pause allows the NSW Government to finalise internal processes and prepare for the next stage of nominations once the full program allocation is confirmed.
