Australia’s January 2026 skilled migration round has delivered 344 invitations to skilled workers, with health professionals and engineers again emerging as the big winners under South Australia’s General Skilled Migration program. The data signals both strong demand across hospitals, regional clinics and infrastructure projects, and a clear message from South Australia that it will keep leaning on permanent and regional visas to plug skills gaps.​

Key numbers and visa breakdown

• A total of 344 invitations were issued in the first skilled migration round of 2026.​
• 235 invitations went to the permanent Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), while 109 were for the regional Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).​
• Across the 2025–26 program year so far, 931 invitations have been issued under South Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, representing just over half of last year’s total intake.​

Who is being invited?

• Health professionals received the highest number of invitations in January, securing 69 places in recognition of continuing pressures across public hospitals, aged care and regional health services.​
• Design, engineering, science and transport professionals followed with 63 invitations, underscoring South Australia’s pipeline of infrastructure, defence and advanced manufacturing projects.​
• ICT professionals, education professionals and construction and electrotechnology trades workers were also heavily represented, reflecting demand for digital skills, teachers and trades to support population growth and housing targets.​

Occupation groups at a glance

• ANZSCO group (sub-major)	Jan 2026 invitations (190 + 491)	2025–26 total to date	Key sectors indicated
  Health Professionals (25)	69	174	Hospitals, primary care, aged care
  Design, Engineering, Science & Transport Professionals (23)	63	162	Infrastructure, defence, R&D, transport
  ICT Professionals (26)	33	91	Cyber, software, systems, digital government
  Construction Trades Workers (33)	30	89	Housing, commercial builds, maintenance
  Electrotechnology & Telecommunications Trades (34)	21	62	Energy, telecommunications, renewables
  Education Professionals (24)	22	52	Schools, higher education, training
  Engineering, ICT & Science Technicians (31)	25	54	Technical support for engineering and labs
  Health & Welfare Support Workers (41)	14	45	Allied health, community support services

Data: Skilled and Business Migration South Australia, January 2026 invitation round.​

What this means for skilled migrants

• South Australia’s Skilled and Business Migration unit has confirmed that invitation rounds will continue on a monthly basis, with the next round scheduled for early February 2026, giving applicants a rare degree of predictability.​
• Prospective migrants targeting subclass 190 or 491 are being urged to keep their skills assessments, English-language test scores and Expressions of Interest up to date to respond quickly if invited, as nomination offers typically have strict acceptance deadlines.​
• Agents expect continued focus on health, engineering, ICT, education and trades, with early signals that clean-hydrogen engineers and aged-care nurses could receive particular attention as budgets and workforce plans for 2026–27 are finalised.