The Department of Home Affairs allows the New South Wales (NSW) Government to nominate applicants for the following visa types:
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (Provisional) – Subclass 491
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Permanent) – Subclass 190
If you are interested in being considered by the NSW Government, you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) visa SkillSelect. SkillSelect is the program administered by the Department of Home Affairs.
NSW Skilled Migration Update: Key Changes and Upcoming Dates
NSW Business and Skilled Migration has released important updates for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa programs for the 2025–26 program year.
Invitation Round – NSW
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Investment NSW will conduct a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) invitation round in the week commencing 13 April 2026.
To ensure invitations are issued based on the most current information available, the NSW would like to remind applicants and migration professionals to ensure Expression of Interest (EOIs) in SkillSelect are up to date by COB Sunday, 12 April 2026.
Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) – Pathway 2
An invitation round for Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) Pathway 2 will follow in the week commencing 27 April 2026.
To ensure invitations are issued based on the most current information available, the NSW would like to remind applicants and migration professionals to ensure Expression of Interest (EOIs) in SkillSelect are up to date by COB Sunday, 26 April 2026.
Please note that invitation rounds are highly competitive and only occupations on the NSW Skills Lists are eligible for an invitation.
2025-26 State and territory nomination allocations – New South Wales
The Australian Government has allocated 3,600 skilled visa nomination places to New South Wales (NSW) for the 2025-26 program. NSW’s allocation consists of:
- The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – A permanent visa to live and work anywhere in Victoria – 2,100 places (-900)
- The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – A provisional (5 year) visa with a pathway to permanent residency after living and working in regional Victoria for at least 3 years – 1,500 places (-500)
Relevant links:
How VisaEnvoy Can Assist
VisaEnvoy closely monitors state and federal migration program changes and can advise on:
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NSW nomination eligibility
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Timing and strategy for Subclass 190 and 491 applications
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Document readiness and validity requirements
For tailored advice, speak with a VisaEnvoy migration specialist today.
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