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SA Skilled Visas for Medical Professionals

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) for Medical Professionals

This stream is for Points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. To find out if you are eligible and the process for the visa, please refer to our Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) (Points-Tested) Stream page.

Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) Visas for Medical Professionals

Unlike the 189 visa, both 190 and 491 visas require skilled workers to be nominated by a state or territory government. The main difference between these two visas is that the 491 visa is a temporary visa (5 year validity). 491 visa holders have a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa after living and working in a designated regional area for at least 3 years and meeting the minimum taxable income requirement. For more information, please visit our Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) page.

South Australia

Information current as at October 2026.

South Australia (SA) nominates skilled migrants for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) through Skilled & Business Migration. Health is a priority industry for SA’s 2026-27 General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, along with construction, engineering, manufacturing, trades and education. Almost every medical, nursing and allied health occupation is on SA’s Skilled Occupation List.

SA 2026-27 program status

  • Since 22 October 2026, SA is accepting Registrations of Interest (ROIs) from people living and working in SA whose current visa expires by 31 January 2027.
  • Offshore candidates can keep lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and may be invited directly from it. Offshore applicants do not lodge an ROI.
  • Invitations focus on candidates working in priority sectors, including health. High ranking candidates in other sectors may also be considered.
  • SA has not published its 2026-27 allocation numbers on its website (checked October 2026).

Requirements for all SA streams

  • An active EOI in SkillSelect with South Australia as your first preferred state or territory.
  • An occupation on SA’s Skilled Occupation List that is open for your stream and visa.
  • Under 45 when SA approves the nomination, a valid positive skills assessment and at least 65 points (including state nomination points).
  • At least competent English (an approved test, or a valid passport from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, the USA or Canada).

If you work in a priority industry such as health and your occupation is eligible for the 190, you may be invited for the 190. Otherwise you may be invited for the 491.

SA nomination streams for health professionals

SA’s onshore streams use a Registration of Interest (ROI). Onshore ROIs are ranked on English level, years of skilled experience, skills and qualification level, salary and an assessment of your employer.

For temporary visa holders already living and working in SA.

  • living in SA for at least the last 12 months;
  • working for the last 12 months, and currently employed, in a full-time job (at least 30 hours a week);
  • the job must be related to, and at the same skill level as, your nominated occupation. SA generally treats this as the same ANZSCO sub major group (first two digits), for example a registered nurse working in another health professional role.

How an SA nomination application works now

  1. Check eligibility against the Skilled Occupation List, the stream requirements and the SA document checklist.
  2. Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect with South Australia as your first preference.
  3. Onshore: lodge an ROI through the Skilled & Business Migration portal with your supporting documents. There is no fee for an ROI.
  4. Wait for an invitation. Only the most competitive ROIs and EOIs are invited. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an invitation.
  5. Apply for nomination online if invited, attaching all mandatory documents. The SA nomination fee is $394 for the 190 or the 491.
  6. Nomination decision: SA currently quotes about 2 to 8 weeks for 190 and 491 nomination applications.
  7. Visa application: once nominated, you receive a SkillSelect invitation and have 60 days to lodge your visa application with Home Affairs.

For the visa stage see our 190 visa and 491 visa pages. A 491 visa granted through SA lets you live and work anywhere in SA, because the whole state is a designated regional area.

SA document checklist for health professionals

SA requires every mandatory document at the time you apply. Missing documents can lead to refusal without further contact, and documents sent later are not accepted unless SA asks for them.

Your current passport biographical page (and your partner’s if included), your current visa grant letter if you are in Australia, and all pages of a positive, valid skills assessment. Medical practitioners, general practitioners and resident medical officers can provide evidence of current full Ahpra registration instead of a skills assessment.

A certificate from an approved test provider (for example IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, MET or TOEFL iBT). Results must be less than three years old when SA decides your nomination. Passport holders from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, the USA and Canada do not need a test, but a higher score can make you more competitive.

Graduation certificates and transcripts for any qualification you rely on for nomination or claim points for. For Australian qualifications, a transcript or provider letter confirming completion, course length and campus. Qualifications obtained partly or entirely through recognition of prior learning are generally not accepted.

Employer letters on letterhead showing job title, duties, salary, weekly hours, dates and location, signed by a manager or HR with their contact details. Payslips for the required period (one PDF per employer, in date order) and superannuation statements. If you hold a 457, 482 or 494 visa with more than 12 months remaining, a letter from your employer consenting to the nomination.

Bank statements in your name showing salary and day to day spending in SA for the required period, and your current lease with proof of rent payments. Statutory declarations instead of a lease, phone bills and driver’s licences are not accepted as proof of residence.

A CV and employment reference letters covering your job title, duties, dates, location, salary and hours. Self-employed applicants also provide tax returns and an accountant’s letter.

Ahpra registration for health professionals moving to SA

SA nomination does not replace professional registration. To work in a registered health profession in SA you need registration with the relevant National Board through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Because SA’s onshore streams require you to be working in SA in a related job, registration usually needs to be in place well before you lodge an ROI.

  • Doctors: follow the Medical Board of Australia and Australian Medical Council pathways for international medical graduates. See our International Medical Graduates and Registration in Australia page.
  • Nurses and midwives: register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; ANMAC carries out the migration skills assessment.
  • Allied health: physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, pharmacists, podiatrists, optometrists, dental practitioners and medical radiation practitioners register with their National Board. Speech pathologists, audiologists, dietitians and sonographers are self-regulated and usually need professional association membership.
  • English: most National Boards need a higher English level than competent English. A higher score also improves your SA ranking.

Employer sponsored options for health workers in SA

Healthcare is a top priority sector for visa processing under Ministerial Direction 121 (subclass 482) and Ministerial Direction 122 (subclasses 186, 190, 491, 494 and others), which commenced on 19 September 2026.

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) replaced the TSS visa on 7 December 2024 and allows an approved sponsor to employ you for up to four years.

  • Core Skills stream: occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), paid at least $79,423 (from 1 July 2026) and the market rate.
  • Specialist Skills stream: paid at least $146,576 (from 1 July 2026).
  • After two years with your sponsor you can generally apply for the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream.
  • Health Workforce Certificates are no longer required for employer sponsored nominations (the requirement was removed on 16 September 2023). Overseas trained doctors who want to bill Medicare generally need to work in a Distribution Priority Area or meet another exemption.

South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List 2026-27: health occupations

This table shows the visas SA offers for each health occupation on its 2026-27 Skilled Occupation List. Onshore covers the South Australian Graduates, Skilled Employment in SA and Outer Regional Skilled Employment streams. The national list columns show MLTSSL status (relevant to the 189 visa) and CSOL status (482 Core Skills stream and 186 Direct Entry). Information current as at October 2026.

Occupation (ANZSCO) Onshore streams Onshore work experience in SA Offshore stream Offshore work experience MLTSSL CSOL
Ambulance Officer (411111) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Anaesthetic Technician (311211) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Anaesthetist (253211) 491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Audiologist (252711) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Cardiac Technician (311212) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Cardiologist (253312) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Cardiothoracic Surgeon (253512) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Chiropractor (252111) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes No
Clinical Haematologist (253313) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Clinical Psychologist (272311) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Dental Hygienist (411211) 491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Dental Specialist (252311) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Dental Technician (411213) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Dental Therapist (411214) 491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Dentist (252312) 491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Dermatologist (253911) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist (253917) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Dietitian (251111) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) Not available Not applicable No Yes
Educational Psychologist (272312) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Emergency Medicine Specialist (253912) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Endocrinologist (253315) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Enrolled Nurse (411411) 491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) Not available Not applicable No Yes
Gastroenterologist (253316) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
General Practitioner (253111) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals nec (251999) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Health Promotion Officer (251911) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No No
Hospital Pharmacist (251511) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Industrial Pharmacist (251512) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic (411112) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Intensive Care Specialist (253317) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Medical Administrator (134211) 491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer (251211) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes No
Medical Laboratory Technician (311213) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No No
Medical Oncologist (253314) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Medical Practitioners nec (253999) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Medical Radiation Therapist (251212) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Medical Technicians nec (311299) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Midwife (254111) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Neurologist (253318) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Neurosurgeon (253513) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Nuclear Medicine Technologist (251213) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Nurse Educator (254211) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Nurse Manager (254311) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No No
Nurse Practitioner (254411) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Nurse Researcher (254212) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Nursing Clinical Director (134212) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Nutritionist (251112) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) Not available Not applicable No No
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (253913) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Occupational Therapist (252411) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Operating Theatre Technician (311214) 491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 491 3 years in the last 5 No No
Ophthalmologist (253914) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Optometrist (251411) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Organisational Psychologist (272313) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Orthopaedic Surgeon (253514) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Orthoptist (251412) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Orthotist or Prosthetist (251912) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Osteopath (252112) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes No
Otorhinolaryngologist (253515) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Paediatric Surgeon (253516) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Paediatrician (253321) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Pathologist (253915) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Pathology Collector (311216) 491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 491 3 years in the last 5 No No
Pharmacy Technician (311215) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Physiotherapist (252511) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (253517) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Podiatrist (252611) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Psychiatrist (253411) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Psychologists nec (272399) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Psychotherapist (272314) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Radiation Oncologist (253918) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) (254413) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Community Health) (254414) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) (254416) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) (254417) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) (254421) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) (254425) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurse (Surgical) (254424) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Registered Nurses nec (254499) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Renal Medicine Specialist (253322) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Resident Medical Officer (253112) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Retail Pharmacist (251513) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 No Yes
Rheumatologist (253323) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Social Worker (272511) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Sonographer (251214) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Specialist Physician (General Medicine) (253311) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Specialist Physicians nec (253399) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Speech Pathologist (252712) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Surgeon (General) (253511) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Thoracic Medicine Specialist (253324) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Urologist (253518) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes
Vascular Surgeon (253521) 190/491 12 months (Skilled Employment), 6 months (SA Graduates), 9 months (Outer Regional) 190/491 3 years in the last 5 Yes Yes

Sources: Skilled & Business Migration (SA) Skilled Occupation List and stream pages, checked October 2026; national lists as published by Home Affairs (CSOL from 7 December 2024), checked October 2026. The minimum points for all listed health occupations is 65.

Common mistakes in SA health nominations

Onshore streams require employment related to your nominated occupation at the same skill level. A nurse or allied health professional working as a care worker or assistant usually does not meet this rule.

Your SkillSelect EOI must list South Australia as your first preferred state or territory, or you will not be considered.

English results must be less than three years old at the decision date, and the skills assessment must be valid. Check expiry dates before you lodge an ROI.

Offshore invitations are based on your EOI, and you must show you met every claim at the time of invitation. Points you cannot prove can lead to refusal.

For registered professions you cannot be working in SA without Ahpra registration, so you cannot meet the onshore employment criteria. Start registration early.

These images show South Australia’s 2021-22 work experience concessions and salary rules. They no longer apply; see the current 2026-27 criteria above.

Frequently asked questions: SA nomination for health professionals

Yes, in a limited way. Since 22 October 2026 SA accepts ROIs from people living and working in SA whose visa expires by 31 January 2027, and it can invite offshore candidates directly from SkillSelect. Health is one of SA’s priority industries.

For the Skilled Employment in SA stream you need 12 months of full-time work in SA in a related job, for SA Graduates six months, for Outer Regional SA nine months, and for offshore applicants at least three years in the last five years.

Possibly. The job must be related to and at the same skill level as your nominated occupation, generally the same ANZSCO sub major group. A registered nurse employed as a personal care worker would not usually meet this rule.

There is no fee for an ROI. The SA nomination application fee is $394 for the 190 or the 491. Home Affairs visa charges are separate.

SA does not list Ahpra registration as a separate criterion, but onshore streams require current employment in a related job, which for registered professions means you must already be registered.

Yes. Both SA DAMAs have been extended to 31 January 2027 while a new five year statewide DAMA is negotiated.

190 visa assessment 491 visa assessment

Jamie Lim

Jamie is an Australian Regulated Migration Advisor (RMA 1799460).  Jamie has extensive immigration services experience across multiple visa subclasses and specialises in employer sponsored visas. He has a wide range of experience in corporate migration, including employer-sponsored visas and immigration compliance, and has managed small to large multinational corporate clients. Jamie also has specific experience with medical professionals, skills assessments, state sponsorships as well as partner visas. Book a time with Jamie here.

Jamie holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Monash University. Jamie speaks Mandarin Chinese as a second language.

His specialities include but not limited to:

[email protected]MARN 1799460

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