South Australia Opens 2026-27 General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program

South Australia (SA) has officially opened its General Skilled Migration (GSM) program for the 2026-27 program year, introducing specific pathways and requirements for both onshore and offshore skilled workers. The state is currently prioritising candidates with skills in critical sectors, though high-ranking candidates in other occupations may also receive invitations.

What are South Australia's Priority Sectors for 2026-27?

Invitations for state nomination will be heavily focused on candidates currently working in the following priority industries:

Building and Construction
Defence
Education
Engineering
Health
Manufacturing

Requirements for Onshore Candidates

If you currently live and work in SA, you must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) to be considered for state nomination. However, SA is currently restricting ROIs to individuals whose current visas expire by 31 January 2027. You must also have a current Expression of Interest (EOI) lodged in the federal SkillSelect system before submitting your ROI.

Requirements for Offshore GSM Candidates

If you are applying from outside Australia, the process is more streamlined. Offshore candidates do not need to submit an ROI.

Instead, ensure you have a current EOI lodged through SkillSelect and have selected South Australia as your preferred state. The South Australian government will review the SkillSelect pool and invite suitable offshore candidates directly.

What are your Next Steps?

Before applying, all candidates should review the updated South Australian Skilled Occupations List to ensure their profession is available for the 2026-27 program year and that they meet all specific stream requirements.

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