South Australia Skilled Occupation List 2026: Complete Guide for Indian Professionals

Indian skilled professionals seeking PR visas in South Australia (subclass 190/491) will find the South Australia Skilled Occupation List 2026 useful. This is an up-to-date list of 427+ offshore jobs in health, engineering, ICT, trade, and education. If your occupation is among the listed occupations, you have a preferential pathway to a skilled visa, but you still need to fulfil the points, English, and skill requirements to be successful. 

What Is the South Australia Skilled Occupation List and Why Does It Matter for Indian Migrants?

The South Australia Skilled Occupation List (SASOL) is a list of occupations as identified by the government as being suitable for the skilled visa we are looking for in South Australia. 

• The Plain Language Description includes a list of ‘in-demand’ occupations (including eligible visa subclasses and ANZSCO codes) from the health sector, engineering, ICT, trades, education, agriculture, and more that are in-demand across South Australia.

• Occupations: Skills Assessment State Nomination Visa (190 visa subclass) or "Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 491 visa)": Your job has to be listed on the SASOL, and will provide you with an additional 5 points if subclass 190 visa (State nomination visa) or 15 points if subclass 491 visa (Skilled regional visa).

• State VS National List: The national Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is a list of occupations that are required throughout Australia, whereas the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is state-specific (SA) and can enable the State to select occupations, not on the national SOL, but of special interest to the state's skilled occupations.

• Annual Updates: SA is updated annually to account for changing skills shortages, priorities for economic growth, and the protection and growth of the regional workforce (e.g., the 2025–2026 update included 427 occupations open to offshore applicants).

• 2026 Allocation: With more places allocated at these top occupations in South Australia than ever before, competition is increasing, although Nurses, Engineers and Software Developers are cut-class professions which are always in demand. The top 20 occupations for Indian s are largely similar to those with the highest exports from India: Registered Nurses, Software Engineers, Civil Engineers, Electricians, and Medical Practitioners. 

As per TerraTern Expert, Divyansh, the SASOL is not static; it is reviewed throughout the year, and occupations can open or close at any time. Indian applicants should verify their occupation's current status on the official Migration SA portal before lodging an Expression of Interest, not just when they begin planning.

Also Read: South Australia Skilled Migration Invitations: 344 Issued in First Round

What's New in the South Australia Skilled Occupation List for 2026?

As announced on the 30th of September 2025, there will be a major change regarding the placement of Indian s on the South Australia skilled occupation list for the program year from 2026.

Key 2026 Updates:

• All professional skills were reviewed, but each skill states whether it is open to offshore applicants, which is crucial for professionals from India.

• Competitive (2026) on ROI (split between subclasses 190 and 491)

• The trades & construction sector, along with health, ICT, education, and agriculture, remains a top priority, as do other areas of construction.

• Other construction areas, such as the trades, remain high priorities, as do other areas of construction, including health, ICT, education, and agriculture.

• 190/491 305 of 395 occupations have been invited: 90 are 491-only.

•  High invitation volume 406 invitations were issued in May 2026 alone.

• Numerous visas for most occupations: (Subclass 190 & 491) Direct PR & regional PR pathway.

Industry Priority Table 

Important Note: The clarification regarding offshore applicants in the 2026 update is critical for Indian professionals who are still based in India. Always check the "offshore available" column for your specific occupation before investing time in skill assessments or EOI preparation.

Which Occupations Are on the South Australia Skilled Occupation List for Indian Professionals?

The South Australia Skilled Occupation List 2026 includes 395 occupations across 21 categories. Indian professionals most commonly qualify for roles in ICT, engineering, healthcare, and accounting.

• Top sectors: ICT (Software Engineers, Developers), Engineering (Civil, Electrical), Healthcare (Nurses, Medical Practitioners), and Accounting dominate Indian applications

• 190 vs 491: 305 of 395 occupations eligible for both visas; 90 are 491-only (regional pathway)

• Skill Levels 1–4: Level 1 = highest skill (university degree), Level 3 = trade certificate; most Indian professionals fall in Level 1

• Minimum Points: 65 points required for both 190 and 491 (including state nomination points)

• Top 20 Occupations: Software Engineer, Civil Engineer, Registered Nurse, Accountant, Teacher, Electrician, ICT Project Manager, Medical Practitioner, Mechanical Engineer, IT Business Analyst.

Representative Occupation Table

How Can Indian IT Professionals Check Their Eligibility on the SA Skilled Occupation List?

Indian IT professionals should search their job title or ANZSCO code on the official Migration SA occupation list tool. ICT roles like Software Engineers (261313), ICT Business Analysts (261111), and Developers (261212) are consistently listed.

• Find your ANZSCO Code: Use the Australian Job Search portal or the ACS (Australian Computer Society) code finder for your IT role.

• Search the Migration SA Tool: Enter a job title or ANZSCO code to see if it is listed under the South Australia Skilled Occupation List.

• Check Eligibility Columns: Verify "Offshore: Yes/No," visa subclass (190/491), and applicable stream. 

• Skills Assessment: Most Indian IT professionals need an ACS assessment (requires a relevant degree + 1 year of work experience)

• Confirm Offshore Eligibility: Not all ICT roles accept offshore applicants, verify before applying from India.

Are Healthcare and Nursing Occupations on the South Australia Skilled Occupation List?

Yes, healthcare occupations, including Registered Nurses, Medical Practitioners, and Allied Health Professionals, are among the highest-priority occupations on the South Australia Skilled Occupation List. Most are eligible for both 190 and 491, including offshore applicants.

• Key nursing ANZSCO Codes: Registered Nurse (254422), Nurse Practitioner (254414), Paediatric Nurse (254423)

• Medical Practitioner Codes: General Medical Practitioner (253111), Specialist Medical Practitioners (2533xx)

• Skills Assessment: AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) is the assessment body for all healthcare roles

• English Requirements: Healthcare roles require a minimum IELTS 7.0 or OET B (higher than the standard 6.5)

• India Context: Indian nurses/doctors target SA due to high healthcare workforce demand and the established Indian medical community

 Expert Tip: Before committing to a skills assessment (which can cost INR 15,000–INR 80,000+ for Indian applicants), confirm your ANZSCO code is currently listed AND open to offshore applicants on the SA portal. These two checks take five minutes and can save months of wasted effort.

What Are the Four Nomination Streams on the South Australia Skilled Occupation List?

The South australia Skilled Occupation List covers four nomination streams: Skilled Employment in SA, Outer Regional SA, South Australian Graduates, and Offshore applicants. Each stream has distinct eligibility requirements based on where you currently live and your connection to South Australia.

What Is the Skilled Employment in SA Nomination Stream?

The skilled employment in the SA nomination stream is

• Who It's For: Applicants currently living and working in South Australia in a listed occupation on the South Australia Skilled Occupation List

• Key Requirements: Current skilled employment in SA (minimum 6 months), meet the occupation's minimum points (65+), and meet skills assessment requirements.

• Indian Applicant Context: Ideal for Indian students on graduate visas already working in SA after completing studies at Adelaide universities

What Is the Outer Regional SA Nomination Stream?

The outer regional SA nomination stream is:

• Who It's For: Applicants working in regional SA outside Greater Adelaide (e.g., Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Port Augusta)

• Key Requirements: Employment in an eligible outer regional area of SA with a listed occupation from the South Australia Skilled Occupation List

• Indian Applicant Context: Growing opportunity, regional SA towns have active Indian communities and lower living costs than Adelaide

What Is the South Australian Graduates Nomination Stream?

The South Australian Graduates nomination stream is:

• Who It's For:  Recent graduates of SA universities with a minimum Bachelor's degree in a relevant field aligned with the SA occupation list

• Key Requirements: Must have studied in SA (minimum 2 years), specific qualification-occupation alignment, and meet points threshold

• Indian Applicant Context: Large numbers of Indian students at the University of Adelaide, UniSA, and Flinders University can access this stream for faster PR pathways

Can Indian Applicants Offshore Apply for SA Nomination?

The Indian applicants offshore who apply for the SA nomination are:

• Who It's For:  Skilled professionals currently residing outside Australia (including India) seeking SA state nomination

• Key Requirements: Occupation must be listed as "offshore available" on the South Australia Skilled Occupation List; must meet 65+ points threshold

• Indian Applicant Context: This is the primary pathway for Indian professionals not yet in Australia, but offshore availability varies by occupation and changes throughout the year.

Expert Advice: Most Indian applicants offshore will need to target the offshore stream, but if your occupation does not specify offshore availability, you may need to first move to Australia on another visa before becoming eligible for SA nomination. This is a planning decision that should be made early.

Also Read: Top Job Opportunities in Australia: New Pay, Scope & More

How Does the Registration of Interest (ROI) Process Work for South Australia Skilled Migration?

South Australia uses a Registration of Interest (ROI) process rather than first-come, first-served. Eligible applicants submit an ROI, and SA selects candidates based on point score, occupation priority, and program capacity. Meeting eligibility does not guarantee an invitation.

1. ROI Process vs SkillSelect EOI

• SkillSelect EOI: Submit to the federal government (Department of Home Affairs) for national skilled visas

• SA ROI: Submit separately to the Migration SA portal for state nomination. Many Indian applicants confuse these as the same

• After ROI Submission: SA reviews ROIs in rounds; the typical waiting time is 2–6 months, depending on occupation and points.

• Selection Criteria: SA ranks candidates based on a points system within occupation categories; higher points = higher invitation priority

• Competition Scale: 406 invitations issued in May 2026 alone; high demand means not all eligible applicants receive invitations

2. Step-by-Step ROI Process

1. Confirm your occupation is on the South Australia skilled occupation list (and check offshore availability if applying from India)

2. Complete skills assessment with a relevant Australian assessing body (ACS for IT, AHPRA for healthcare, Engineers Australia for engineering)

3. Achieve required English proficiency score (IELTS 6.5 minimum, IELTS 7.0 for healthcare)

4. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect (federal government portal)

5. Submit Registration of Interest (ROI) through the SA Migration portal (state nomination portal)

6. Wait for invitation to apply for state nomination (competitive, points-based ranking)

7. If invited, submit the state nomination application with supporting documents within the deadline (typically 30 days)

8. Upon nomination, lodge a visa application with the Department of Home Affairs.

How Many Points Do You Need for South Australia Skilled Migration in 2026?

You need a minimum of 65 points for both 190 and 491 visas, but competition means most invited applicants score 75–90+ points. Points are calculated based on age, English, work experience, education, and other factors.

Points Breakdown Table

Important Tip: Many Indian applicants make the mistake of submitting an ROI before completing their skills assessment. SA nomination requires a valid skills assessment at the time of invitation, not just at the time of visa lodgement. Start your skills assessment process first, before submitting any ROI.

How Does the South Australia Skilled Occupation List Compare to Other States for Indian Professionals?

South Australia offers one of the most accessible state nomination programs for Indian professionals, with 395 listed occupations on the South Australia Skilled Occupation List, a lower cost of living than Sydney or Melbourne, and strong demand in IT, healthcare, and engineering. However, SA's competitive ROI process means points optimisation is essential.

• Lower Cost of Living: Adelaide is ~30% cheaper than Sydney in terms of rent, groceries, and transportation costs

• Strong Indian Community: Adelaide has 25,000+ Indian s with Indian grocery stores, Diwali celebrations, Gurdwaras, temples, and cultural events

• Access for Offshore Applicants: SA opens more occupations for offshore applicants than Victoria (which has limited offshore access)

• Less Competition Than VIC: Victoria has more places (~5,000+), but an extremely competitive ROI with higher point thresholds

• Regional PR Pathway: SA's subclass 491 offers easier regional residency requirements compared to NSW/VIC

Is South Australia a Good Choice for Indian IT Professionals Seeking PR?

Yes, particularly for mid-career IT professionals with 70+ points. SA's growing tech sector in Adelaide includes defence technology, space sector, and health tech, creating strong demand for Software Engineers (261313), ICT Business Analysts (261111), and Developers (261212) listed on the South Australia skilled occupation list.

• Top IT Roles Listed: Software Engineer, ICT Project Manager, Developer, and Systems Engineer, all eligible for 190/491

• Offshore Availability: Most IT occupations accept offshore applicants from India

• Growing Adelaide Tech Hub: Defence tech (ADMA), space sector (Silicon Ocean), and health tech, creating 5,000+ IT jobs

• Lower Competition: Compared to Victoria/NSW, SA has moderate ROI competition for IT roles

• ACS Skills Assessment: The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the assessing body for all IT professions

As per our Expert: South Australia is often overlooked by Indian professionals who default to Victoria or NSW, but SA's lower competition-to-places ratio means your points score goes further here. For IT and engineering professionals with 75–85 points, SA can be a faster pathway to nomination than more popular states.

What Are the Common Mistakes Indian Applicants Make with the South Australia Skilled Occupation List?

The most common mistakes include checking occupation eligibility without verifying offshore availability, submitting an ROI before completing a skills assessment, and choosing the wrong ANZSCO code, all of which result in wasted time and money on the South Australia Skilled Occupation List.

• Not Checking Offshore Availability Separately: Being "on the list" doesn't mean offshore access; verify "Offshore: Yes" for your occupation.

• Using the Wrong ANZSCO Code: Indian  job titles don't map directly to Australian classifications; use ACS or the official ANZSCO finder

• Submitting ROI Without a Valid Skills Assessment: SA requires a valid assessment at invitation time (ACS for IT, AHPRA for healthcare)

• Ignoring the Points-Score Gap: Meeting the 65 minimum isn't enough; most invited applicants score 75–90+ points.

• Not Monitoring List Updates: Occupations can close mid-year without notice; check the Migration SA portal monthly.

• Confusing SkillSelect EOI With SA ROI: Two separate systems,submit EOI to SkillSelect AND ROI to SA Migration portal

• Underestimating English Test Preparation: SA requires a minimum IELTS 6.5 (7.0 for healthcare); many Indian applicants score below the threshold on their first attempt

• Not Accounting for Partner's Skills: 5–10 extra points for a skilled partner, common among Indian dual-career couples but often overlooked.

Pro Tip: The ANZSCO code mismatch is responsible for a disproportionate number of failed SA nominations from Indian applicants. If your Indian job title doesn't have a direct match in the ANZSCO database, consult a registered migration agent before selecting your code; it's a decision that affects your entire application.

Also Read: Australia Skills in Demand Visa for Indian s: Latest Guide 

How Can TerraTern Help Indian Professionals Navigate the South Australia Skilled Occupation List?

TerraTern provides end-to-end guidance for Indian professionals seeking South Australia state nomination, from occupation eligibility checks to visa applications. Our advisors stay up to date on every SASOL change throughout the year.

• Free Eligibility Assessment: Confirm if your occupation is on the South Australia skilled occupation list and verify offshore availability from India

• ANZSCO Code Confirmation + Points Calculation: Map your job title correctly (e.g., Software Engineer = 261313) and optimise to 75–90+ points

• Skills Assessment + ROI Preparation: ACS/AHPRA guidance and complete SA Migration portal ROI with the correct occupation stream

• Document Checklist + Visa Lodgement: Comprehensive nomination application checklist and federal visa support after SA nomination. 500+ Indian clients helped with an 85%+ success rate, avoiding costly ANZSCO/offshore errors that waste time and money

Key Note: The SA nomination process involves at least 5–6 distinct stages across multiple platforms (ANZSCO confirmation, skills assessment, SkillSelect, SA ROI portal, Department of Home Affairs). Working with an experienced advisor who monitors SA-specific updates significantly reduces the risk of procedural errors that can delay or disqualify your application.

Conclusion

The South Australia Skilled Occupation List 2026 offers Indian professionals 395 occupations across IT, healthcare, engineering, and trades for state nomination under subclass 190/491. With 3,800 nomination places and strong offshore access for key roles, SA is an accessible PR pathway,but competitive ROI means optimising points to 75+ is essential. Verify offshore availability, confirm your ANZSCO code, and monitor monthly updates to ensure a successful migration. 

Contact TerraTern for more information on the South Australia Skilled Occupation List 2026: Complete Guide for Indian Professionals.