03/12/2025
The NSW Government has provided the following update on the state nomination program for the 2025-26 year:
Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa:
- three invitation rounds have been completed to date for this program year
- monthly invitation rounds will recommence from January 2026
- as of December 2025, approximately 25% of annual nomination places have been allocated
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa:
- Pathway 1 – Work in Regional NSW will open on 19 January 2026. All occupations that are eligible for the Subclass 491 visa can apply under Pathway 1, provided applicants meet the minimum income threshold and have been employed for at least six months
- Pathway 2 - Invitation by NSW - the need to conduct an invitation round under this pathway will be determined following the demand for nominations under Pathways 1 and 3. If required, an invitation round for Pathway 2 will occur in April 2026 at the earliest. Updates will be provided prior to an invitation round being conducted
- Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate will open on 19 January 2026. To apply under this pathway, you must have a bachelor degree or higher degree from an education institution located in a designated regional area of NSW. Only occupations that appear on the NSW Regional Skills List are eligible to apply
- Applications will be processed in chronological order
- only valid applications will be considered. Ensure that your application satisfies all NSW eligibility requirements
- all supporting documents must be valid at the time of application and should remain valid for at least five days thereafter
- Applications take on average up to six weeks to process
Priority processing:
Applicants may request priority processing if any of the following will occur within ten working days:
- The applicant or their partner's current visa will expire
- The applicant or their partner’s English language test, skills assessment, or passport, will expire
- The applicant will lose points for age, and this will bring the applicant’s total points below the minimum required for the visa
Holiday closure:
The NSW Government office will close from 24 December 2025 and will reopen on 12 January 2026. If your (or your partner’s) visa, English language test, skills assessment, or passport are due to expire during the closure period and you need to request an expedited assessment, contact NSW Business and Skilled Migration by 12 December 2025 to allow sufficient time to address any urgent matters before the closure: https://ow.ly/W6XE50XB5EG
